Get Involved in Research!
By Caden Jackson – Student Academic Sucess Center Coordinator, Class of 2023
When asked to define “research”, students have various interpretations of the concept. The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) defines research as asking questions and finding answers. Additionally, the OUR encourages discovery for every discipline, meaning there are research opportunities for students of all academic disciplines. The goal of research is to gain a better understanding of a particular area of interest through beyond-the-classroom learning. No prior experience is needed to get involved. You only need a willingness to learn! One misconception of research is that students can only research topics that are within their area of study. This is not true. Students are encouraged to pursue research in any area of study that interests them. There are many benefits of conducting undergraduate research related to professional development and career readiness. Research provides students with an opportunity to gain knowledge that helps integrate in-classroom knowledge with beyond-the-classroom experiences. Undergraduate research also provides opportunities for obtaining funding for research, presentations, and class credit through independent study. To learn more about engaging in undergraduate research, contact the Office of Undergraduate Research at OUR@mailbox.sc.edu to set up a one-on-one research consultation with one of their staff members.
While engaging in research, students work under the guidance of a faculty mentor. A mentor serves as your support system and guide through the research process, and is a valuable on-campus resource for you. USC Union offers numerous opportunities for students to engage with faculty in research, providing many faculty mentors in various disciplines. Students can participate in faculty-led research or develop their own research ideas. Students may also volunteer to engage in research through volunteer opportunities on other students’ research.
USC Union has a Research Club where students can join to learn more about research, make connections with potential mentors, and learn from others’ research experiences. The Research Club, led by USC Union Dean, Dr. Randy Lowell, holds monthly meetings for students to connect with other undergraduate researchers and faculty mentors to discuss research opportunities and Lunch and Learn meetings. During the Lunch and Learn sessions, the Research Club provides food for attendees and has a faculty researcher present their research findings. The Research Club also offers opportunities for students to attend off campus academic events to increase their knowledge beyond the classroom.
Undergraduate research can also be conducted through independent study courses with a faculty mentor. These courses allow students to work one-on-one with a faculty mentor, over the course of a semester, on a topic of their own choosing. Independent study courses are 3-credit hour courses that allow students to engage in mentor-led research. Through these courses, faculty mentors guide the student through the research process from deciding on which topic to research, understanding material from scholarly sources, guidance through conducting experiments, and preparing to present one’s work at Discover USC or a discipline-specific conference. This process is mentor-guided from beginning to end.
To connect with a faculty mentor, you can utilize the resources in the OUR’s Getting Started in Research Toolkit, as well as contact OUR at OUR@mailbox.sc.edu for assistance in making connection with a faculty mentor. Students may reach out to their chosen faculty mentor through email or in person. If you are interested in discovering research mentors’ research areas and interests, visit the OUR Faculty Research Database to view some of the faculty that are engaging in research here at USC Union. Additionally, if you are taking a class with a professor that you are interested in learning more about their research, that is another way that you can get involved.
Students may apply for research funding through the Office of Undergraduate Research to contribute to costs of materials or travel for a project, or to be paid for engaging in research.. The Mini-Magellan Grant provides funding of up to $1000 for those items, and the Magellan Scholar Award provides up to $2500 funding. The Magellan Scholar Award is a two-semester grant in which students must meet criteria set forth by OUR to receive funding. The Magellan Voyager Award is another grant available to USC Union students. This grant provides funding for students’ travel expenses to conferences. If you are interested in applying for funding for research, please email the Office of Undergraduate Research at OUR@mailbox.sc.edu.
Another benefit of engaging in undergraduate research is the possibility for earning Graduation with Leadership Distinction (GLD). Completing GLD in Research is an academic distinction, available to both the associate and bachelor’s level students, that will be listed on one’s diploma, transcript, and be awarded the honored GLD cord for graduation. This distinction sets those who pursue it apart from their peers in applying for jobs or other institutions of higher education. If you are interested in learning more about GLD, contact Dr. Steve Lownes @ Lownes@mailbox.sc.edu.
