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Dean of Seaver College

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)

You are invited to submit a proposal to conduct research with undergraduate students during the summer of 2010. The research project will run for 12 weeks from May 10 through July 30.

All student and faculty participants are required to attend the opening reception on May 10.

The goals of this project are: to develop an active program of undergraduate research in all disciplines; to teach students the common elements of the research process by actively engaging them in a research study; to encourage students to pursue careers in research; and to provide time and incentive for faculty members to engage in research.

The research projects should be designed to provide students with insight into how to formulate research questions, design experiments, collect and analyze data, and communicate their results to the academic community. The program will begin with an opening reception on May 10 to foster a sense of community between the student and faculty research scholars. It will conclude with a Banquet and Research Conference that will occur early in Spring Semester 2011. A brief report should be submitted to the Assistant Dean for Research (via email to ) by August 13 describing the research activities that took place during the summer.

Students will be required to register for a minimum of 4 units of 590/599 (Research/ Directed Studies) credit and may register for up to a total of 8 units over the 12-week session. Students will receive a 4-unit tuition scholarship.

Faculty will recruit and select up to two student participants and will receive a $1,000 award (for research expenses and supplies) for each student who is enrolled and who completes all program requirements.

The proposals should include a brief description of the research questions from which students may choose, a proposed schedule for the 12-week session, the number of students that will be expected, and an assessment plan.

Proposals for this project as well as a current C.V. should be submitted to Katy Svennungsen in the Office of the Assistant Dean for Research (Mail Code 4280; or by email to ) by February 19, 2010. Decisions on awards will be made and notification letters sent by the end of March. Upon receipt of an award, a Summer Undergraduate Research Program Course Contract must be completed for each student participant and submitted to Katy Svennungsen. A SURP Course Contract may be downloaded by clicking here.