Undergraduate Research - 100
OURS 100: Introductory Seminar in Research, Scholarship, and Creative Works
Prerequisites: Permission of the Instructor
Credit Hours: 2
The course is designed to expose students to new perspectives on research, scholarship, and creative works and to encourage students to recognize their own potential as researchers. Through presentations and discussions of ongoing projects across varied disciplines, students will gain knowledge and exposure to faculty research, dissemination pathways, and professional development. Students will prepare a faculty mentored research plan for the next semester.
Detailed Description of Course
The primary purposes of the course are: 1) to provide students with opportunities to understand the scope of research opportunities at Radford University, and 2) to prepare and engage students in faculty-mentored research. Research is define broadly using the Council on Undergraduate Research's definition, where research is an inquiry or investigation conducted that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline.
Topics that amy be used to achieve the purposes of the course include:
1) Library Skills
a. Identifying primary vs secondary literature
b. Identifying literature and images from reference, article, and digitial databases
c. Finding full text articles online
d. Using the interlibrary loan system
2) Communication Skills
a. How to approach faculty about undergraduate research
b. Establishing regular contact with faculty mentor
c. Oral presentation skills
d. Poster presentation skills
3) Campus Resources
a. Library
b. OURS funding
c. Other funding sources
4) How to design a research project
a. The IRB and IACUC process
b. How to write an abstract or artist statement
c. How to write background and context
d. How to explain the significance and impact of a project
e. How to write clear, concise, research problems or questions
f. What are typical outcomes of a project
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The course will be taught in two 50 minute classroom sessions a week. The sessions will be interactive and a combination of presentations, discussions, and group work as determined by the instructor. Guests from across the University willing to mentor a student in the class will be invited to share their expertise with the class.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
At the conclusion of the course students will be able to:
1) Be able to design their own original research project.
2) Be able to find primary literature in their field of study.
3) Collaborate with faculty members about undergraduate research possibilities.
4) Articulate the importance of research in academic and professional projects.
Assessment Measures
Students will be evaluated on a written research plan and assessment may also include presentations, exams, written reflections, and small projects.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
December 16, 2015