Undergraduate research opportunities available at USU
Research is always happening at USU, but few students know they can be a part of it. The Research Office has an entire program devoted toward undergraduate research. Students can come and find out how they can be involved in many exciting projects happening around campus.
Jamie Wilson, sophomore in mechanical engineering, is participating in the Lunar-landing Trajectories project. Research helps to enrich his college experience and helps him apply what he learns in classes to something he’ll someday use in the field, he said.
“It helps me look forward from the base classes to how it applies later on,” he said. “As you gain experience, then you can do cooler things and change the world.”
Student participation in research is very important because it helps students become prepared to get a job or go on to grad school, as a result of stronger resumes and useful skills. Student researchers develop close relationships with their professors, and that creates valuable connections and opens doors to other opportunities.
Joyce Kinkead, associate vice president for research, explained the goals of research center.
“(The research center is there) to help students figure out and help them with what they want to do. Our office supports laboratory research and field research,” she said. One example, she said, is a recent expedition to Alaska.
Many may wonder what sort of research can be done.
“It’s all over the map,” Kinkead said, “anything you want to do.”
A few examples of student projects given by Kinkead were: Japanese costume design, bio-plastics (water-bottles from biodegradable materials), pre-colonial slavery and punishment, cheating behavior of students, and research on the “freshman 15” of which USU only averages a weight gain of 9.6 pounds.
Ever wonder how to get started? Most projects begin with faculty member discussing a recent project in a classroom setting. Students become involved with a faculty project. As the student gains experience, eventually the project extends over to the student’s own investigation.
USU has a strong tradition of research, dating back to awards in field research back in 1893. Today USU continues to maintain a strong presence in academic research.
“Undergraduate research has become a hallmark of USU – hands-on learning,” Kinkead said.
In addition to advice and assistance, there is funding for student research. Cash awards are given out to assist projects. Last year, a total of $25,000 was given towards undergraduate research projects.
To help further the involvement of students a Undergraduate Research Advisory Board has been created. They make recommendations as to how the undergraduate research program can be even better.
“We plan to establish a vision for the program that will take it to a higher level and make USU undergraduate research nationally visible,” said Kinkead, on the research Web site.
Students present their research at a student showcase in March, at which time more than a hundred students present their research. In addition, many projects are taken to Capitol Hill be presented and show off the university.
According to 2007 statistics, USU ranks first among all universities in aerospace research funding, as well as most student experiments sent into space. Also, USU is third in the nation in percentage of federal engineering research among major public universities..
At USU there are more than 1,300 students employed in research labs. In addition, 26 percent of recent graduating seniors noted involvement in undergraduate research.
There are already many students involved in undergraduate research. The prestigious fellowships are given to incoming students who demonstrate a strong desire to participate in research and demonstrate capability. These students work closely with faculty mentors to get a first-rate education and a lot of extra responsibility. University Research Fellowships are for students who are interested in graduate or professional study following the undergraduate degree, and who are ambitious. The big emphasis is the hands-on learning, Call said.
– r.perkins@aggiemail.usu.edu