Research can be an important component of the undergraduate experience. Indeed, one of the major advantages of being an undergraduate at a research university is the wide variety of opportunities available for scholarship. A recent survey suggests that 75 percent of students in the College have substantial experience in hands-on, independent projects, and we hope that an even larger proportion of our undergraduates will have such experiences in the years ahead.
Undergraduate research in the College encompasses a wide range of activities. In some disciplines, such as English, philosophy and history, students read original works, examine primary literature, or engage in archival research, and look for new connections and interpretations of these writings. In areas such as anthropology or history of art, students study artifacts, works of art or ancient languages, gaining insights on earlier civilizations and the lives of those who contributed to them. Some students do research in biology, chemistry or psychology, seeking insights on genetic coding, molecular structure or animal behaviors.
In most cases, students receive college credit for their research activities and scholarship, and in many cases work-study funds or faculty grants provide modest stipends, or college research grants offer summer funding.
