Undergraduate students at all four participating institutions, Truman, St. Charles, Metropolitan, and Moberly, have the opportunity to participate in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience program held on the Truman campus. The 9-week, on-campus experience (May 26 – July 24, 2009) engages undergraduate students in a collaborative research project, each mentored by an individual or a pair of Truman faculty (review possible projects and mentors). Undergraduates pursuing any science, technology, engineering, math or computer science field are eligible to apply.
Application deadline is midnight on February 1, 2009.
The on-campus program commences with an orientation session where the scope of the program is introduced, mentors discuss their research interests and projects, and focused discussions within each mentor-student team occur. The day also includes outdoor recreation and a barbeque. This develops an early sense of community, which is sustained in part by all students living and eating together in the same residence hall.
During the first two weeks, students work closely with their mentors to conceptualize their projects and begin learning techniques. Workshops help students gain competence in defining/refining research questions and reading/interpreting/searching the primary literature. The goal of this early phase is for the students to become deeply invested in their projects. This culminates with a completed written research proposal and an oral presentation.
While students begin their research during the first two weeks, subsequent weeks are more intensely devoted to scholarly work. At least two weekly meetings of all students and mentors include a topical workshop on Wednesdays and a group lunch on Fridays. Examples of potential topics include the following: keeping a research notebook, conducting interdisciplinary research, women and underrepresented groups in STEM, research ethics, international research experiences, different modes of conducting research, writing grant proposals, careers in STEM, writing a curriculum vitae, how to prepare a poster for printing on large-format printers. The program also includes presentations by speakers and a field trip to an off-campus partner institution. A mid-summer picnic and other impromptu gatherings also occur.
Several sessions during the final weeks focus on bringing data collection, analysis, and synthesis to reasonable conclusion and provide information on continued research and planning for graduate and professional school. The summer program ends with a formal Research Symposium. Students who have participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience are also able to continue their research, or develop additional research projects, throughout the academic year.
Participants earn a stipend of $3,200 as well as 3 hours of university credit ($750 value). They are provided with on-campus housing and meals ($1,700 value). Participants also receive a research budget to support their project and funding to attend a professional conference.
Review research projects and mentors for 2009
and those from previous summers