College of Arts and Sciences

Undergraduate Research

CAS Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Award
External Undergaduate Research Sites

Undergraduate Research

One of the goals at Western Michigan University is to be a "Student-Centered, Research University". To help achieve this goal we involve our students in the research and creative activities of the faculty. There are a number of programs that encourage students to participate in research and creative activities. Please consult your department chairs and faculty for additional opportunities to work with the faculty. Many departments offer undergraduate research courses. See the Undergraduate Research Awards Program for examples of some of the student projects in the left column.

The College of Arts & Sciences is placing increasing emphasis on the involvement of undergraduate students in research. The College's Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Awards began in Winter 1997. This program was initiated by the College, to encourage undergraduates to work with faculty on research or creative activities. The College plans to fund up to 60 awards this year and approved students receive $500 as a stipend or as an expense account toward their research project. The joint student/faculty projects represent the diversity of scholarly activity in the College. Projects have ranged from English Editorial Assistants to molecular biology research.

This program complements a variety of other undergraduate research programs in the College that are providing increasing numbers of our undergraduate majors access to research and experiential opportunities. Currently approximately 150 undergraduates are engaged in a research experience each semester. Research fellowships are also available in conjunction with the Honors College, Binder Park Zoo, Bronson and Borgess Hospitals and the DNR. Each year undergraduate researchers from Biological Sciences and Chemistry present their work at the National Undergraduate Research Conference. A number of non-science departments also have student internships and research projects.

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College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Award

Program Description:

In order to increase the opportunities for undergraduates to participate with faculty mentors in professional activities outside the classroom, the College of Arts & Sciences has established a Research and Creative Activities Award program. This program recognizes academic excellence and potential for research and creative activities and provides undergraduate students with opportunities for hands-on research or creative activities experience with faculty from the College. Up to 60 awards of up to $500 can be used by the students as a stipend or to defray the cost of the project. Work associated with the award may be conducted during the Fall or Spring semesters or during the Summer I/Summer II sessions. Award recipients will be asked to present their findings at a yearly Arts and Sciences Research and Creative Activities Day symposium. In addition to the College funding of these projects, projects can be sponsored by regional industry, government and hospitals. Each March or April the Dean hosts a reception for the recipients. The highlight of the reception is the display of the students work in posters.

Program Eligibility:

In order to apply for an Arts & Sciences Research and Creative Activities Award, undergraduate students will generally be expected to have declared a major or minor in a department or program within the College, have completed at least 30 credit hours and be in good academic standing. College of Arts and Sciences Research and Creative Activities Awards may not be held during the same term as a research and creative activities award administered by the Lee Honors College. Award recipients may request renewal of the award for one additional term.

Application Process:

Application forms are available as Microsoft Word 6.0 documents or text format. Application forms must be submitted to the chair or director of the appropriate department or program for approval. There is no limit on the number of applications that may be recommended by departments, schools, centers or institutes. Committees will rank applications and make recommendations to the Dean.

There are three major application deadlines per year. Students may apply at either of these deadlines for a project to begin in Fall, Spring, or Summer I/Summer II.

The first application deadline for 2008/2009 is March 21, 2008. Additional deadlines will be September 19, 2008 and December 19, 2008. Applications will be reviewed and students and faculty will be notified within 4 weeks of deadline. Recipients of the awards will be required to present a poster at the annual College Research Celebration to be held in April of 2009.

Rules and Requirements:

Students who receive the award are required to submit a final report, a summary paragraph and a poster presentation for our annual research celebration. This year the Arts and Sciences research celebration will be held in April of 2008 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm in the North Ballroom of the Bernhard Center. Exact date to be announced.

Renewal Applications:

Students may make application for renewal once. The renewal application will include the description of the project, a progress report and a letter from the faculty member noting the progress on the research project and the need for renewal.