Fall-Winter Programs

Every UROP student will work on a research project under the guidance of a UROP Research mentor from 6-12 hours per week depending upon the specific project selected.  The research mentor may be a faculty member, community organization, a postdoctoral scholar or a graduate student. The research project is the core of the program and we encourage you to select your project very carefully.  Whether you are participating in the program for academic credit or work study your performance on the research will be a critical factor of your UROP grade.

All UROP students are required to participate in mandatory research seminars designed to provide information about research in your field or discipline and cover topics that will enhance your research knowledge and experience.  These topics should provide a context for your individual project as well valuable information to guide you through the research process from finding a project to presenting your research at the end of the year symposium. The seminars are facilitated by Peer Facilitators who are UROP alumni.  In most cases presenters will be faculty, community engaged researchers, professionals, graduate students, and other university experts who will share their expertise in topics relevant to your field of interest. You will be required to complete short readings and written assignments for these seminars. This component of the program will factor into your grade and your Peer Facilitator will assign the grade. Details about specific seminar dates and assignments can be found in the UROP Syllabus.

Our UROP Research mentors do not expect you to have all the skills you need to complete the tasks for the projects but they do expect you to acquire these skills as you proceed throughout the year.  Every research mentor was asked to indicate as part of their project description the workshops you should take to be able to work effectively on your project. Please make a note of these workshops once you get your project and also have a conversation with your mentor about what workshops will be helpful for you to take. While you will not receive a grade for the “research skill building workshops” you may not be able to do your project without taking the workshops needed for the project. In some cases (e.g. Laboratory Safety) you cannot begin working on your project without certification that you have completed this workshop. You will however be able to count the hours you are in the workshops toward your hours per week. 

Every UROP student is assigned a Peer Facilitator who will help you find a project, develop your resume, meet with you monthly to make sure you are having a good research experience, help to resolve any issues that arise, and provide guidance on academics, time management, research roles, etc.  Your Peer Facilitator is an important resource and they can help you have a great UROP experience and link you with important research and academic resources.  

Schedule a Monthly Meeting with Your Peer Facilitator

You are required to attend two individual meetings with your peer facilitator each term. Individual meetings will last 15-20 minutes and take place at the UROP office (1190 USB). They are scheduled via google calendar (link available on Canvas). The meetings are an opportunity for us to discuss your project and any questions or concerns you may have. 

Points: Meetings with your peer facilitator are worth 10 points each. Failing to show up to a scheduled monthly meeting or failing to cancel your meeting will result in a loss of 2 points. Missing a monthly meeting will result in zero points. *If you cancel your meeting within 24 hours, you will not be penalized.