Project for Upgrading Undergraduate Research
This USO-project integrated Undergraduate Research (UR) into the curriculum of the University collages (UCU and UCR) and established new strategies and procedures which would make it possible to extend the programme to include honour students and motivated, excellent students from regular bachelor programmes.
Background
Familiarising students with research fundamentals (like methods and academic skills) is part of every bachelor in Dutch research universities. This project goes beyond familiarisation. Undergraduate research (UR) means participating in real research, being part of a research team or community.
Goals
The goal of the project was to integrate Undergraduate Research (UR) into the curriculum of the University collages (UCU and UCR), as well as establishing new strategies and procedures which would make it possible to extend the programme to include honour students and motivated, excellent students from regular bachelor programmes.
Results
Undergraduate Research (UR) was successfully integrated into the curriculum of UCU and UCR in the following ways:
Undergraduate research thesis projects
Students work closely with researchers on original research, with the intention to see such research published and disseminated amongst an academic audience in other ways (conference presentations etc).
Undergraduate research internships
One or more students work side to side with a researcher or an external research party on a specific research project.
Undergraduate research abroad
International exchange of students between strong research universities.
Individual applications
A procedure was established for individual, high performing, and research-oriented students to propose their own UR project to the Exam Board of UCU.
More information:
- Blog: Undergraduate research [TAUU]
- Undergraduate research – University college Roosevelt [UCR]