Getting Started: UNC Charlotte and Beyond
- The first place to look for a research project is in your own department’s course catalog! Many courses include semester-long class projects or term papers that are ideal for presenting in a poster or even oral format at the conference.
- Alternatively, you can approach faculty (make an appointment) who conduct research or teach courses in subjects that interest you and ask if they have an independent study project that you could complete for them and present at the Conference.
- If you already have a particular project, essay or paper you have completed, approach the faculty member for whom you completed the project and ask them if they would help you to turn it into a presentation for the Conference.
- Finally, there are competitive research opportunities external to UNC Charlotte (see below), some of which even pay. You can participate in these and then present the work at the Conference. Again, make sure that you consult a faculty member here to help you with preparing your presentation.
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Of Note: research involving humans or vertebrate animals requires the approval of an appropriate review panel (either IRB or IACUC) before research can begin. So consult early with your advisor about the forms and procedures necessary to do these projects. If you are unsure if your project might need IRB or IACUC approval, please call the Office of Research Compliance at 704.687.1876.
Resources
You can check out your department’s website at UNC Charlotte or talk to your Department’s Conference Liaison to see what types of courses and research different faculty participate in, and what opportunities there are for undergraduate research in your department.
Many external organizations sponsor Undergraduate Research Opportunities both throughout the school year and in the summer. Below are information and links to external programs and organizations offering both paid and unpaid Undergraduate Research opportunities.
NC Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium
The State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium will be in November here at UNC Charlotte. More information is available at: http://www.sncurcs.org/.
National Science Foundation (NSF): Research Experience for Undergraduates
The National Science Foundation sponsors research programs in a variety of disciplines at Universities all over the country. The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation. Apoplication Deadlines and additional information can be found at the REU homepage.
NASA Undergraduate Student Research Project
The NASA Undergraduate Student Research Project, or USRP, offers internship opportunities for undergraduate science and engineering students at all 10 NASA centers and additional partner facilities. These mentor-guided internships provide hands-on, real-life, career-related experiences that challenge, inspire, and provide practical application that complements and expands upon students' academic education.
North Carolina Academy of Science
The North Carolina Academy of Science offers opportunities for students to present their research in a State-wide venue and also to have it published in their quarterly peer-reviewed journal. They also offer good advice for students getting started with their research projects.
Big South Undergraduate Research Symposium (Big SURS)
The Undergraduate Research Office at Winthrop University is pleased to announce that Winthrop will host the 5th Big South Undergraduate Research Symposium (Big SURS) on April 5-6, 2013. UNC Charlotte undergraduate students and faculty are welcome to attend. Symposium website: http://www.winthrop.edu/bigsurs2012/
Note to faculty: If you would like to post your research opportunity here, please email: undergrad-research@uncc.edu
