1. Undergraduate Research Center
Getting Started
Undergraduate Research Center
Morris Hall 265

2. The High Impact Practice of Undergraduate Research
Students who engage in “high-impact” educational practices, especially undergraduate research, show significantly greater learning outcomes than similar students without those opportunities.
(Astin, 1997; Bauer & Bennett, 2003; Brownell & Swaner, 2010; Kuh, 2008)

3. Students who learn research skills do better than their peers in the areas employers value most.
Half of employers surveyed in 2012 by The Chronicle of Higher Ed and public radio’s Marketplace said they had trouble finding college grads qualified to fill positions.
(Fischer, 2013)

4. Why Research? Transform your educational experience
Build strong faculty collaborations
Build confidence
Alter your view of yourself and the world 

5. Why Should I do Research?
Prepare for Professional work
Prepare for Graduate work
Bridge the gap between field work and research
Apply knowledge back to the field

6. The Mission of the URC
To actively engage faculty and students in mentoring relationships that enable students to participate directly in the research process from its inception, through the dissemination of new knowledge, so that students ultimately view themselves as participants in a community of scholars.
Research= research, scholarly and creative activities

7. How To Find a Faculty Mentor
Ask your faculty advisor
Ask other students
Ask your class instructors
Look at university webpages
Attend campus seminars
ScholarBridge

8. What “research” should I do?
Does it matter what discipline I do research in?
Biology
Exercise Science
Education
Psychology
Speech Audiology
Special Education

9. Developing Your Project
Define your research interests
Determine which subject most interests you
Think about your goals, such as acquiring a specific set of skills
Read about the faculty mentor's research program
Look at the URC Proceedings to see what previous students have worked on

10. Grant Deadline: October 7th
Funding Your Project
Minnesota State Foundation Student Research Awards
NorthStar STEM Alliance Awards
Undergraduate Research Center grants
Travel Grants
Departmental/College grants
Grant Deadline: October 7th

11. Completing Your Project
Prepare an oral presentation
Design and print a poster
Perform or display your creative project
Write a manuscript

12. Apply to Present Your Findings
National Conference of Undergraduate Research – Memphis, Tennessee
Call for Abstracts: October 3rd
Application Deadline: December 2nd
NCUR: April 6th- 8th
MN Undergraduate Scholars Conference
Application Deadline: March 4th
Conference: April 4th
MSU Mankato’s Undergraduate Research Symposium
Application Deadline: February 27
URS: April 11th
Posters at St. Paul
Application Deadline: TBD
Posters at St. Paul: TBD

13. Submit Your Work Journal of Undergraduate Research
If not at MNSU, then where?

14. Student Council What is it? What do they do? How can you apply?
An initiative to promote awareness about undergraduate research
Promote diversity among students and departments
What do they do?
Advise the office of Undergraduate Research
Attend meetings
Mentor students
How can you apply?
Complete the application on our website and it to which is due September 16th

15. Contact URC Director: Karla Lassonde
Administrative Assistant: Sadie Anderson
Graduate Assistants: Alexis McCall and Jessica Wiswell