New Undergraduate Researchers Encouraged to Apply for the UR2PhD Undergraduate Research Methods Course by August 23
By Julia Sepulveda, Senior Program Associate, CRA-E
The UR2PhD program intends to help expand capacity for research by offering training opportunities for new researchers. This fall, the UR2PhD program is offering the undergraduate research methods course to provide first-time researchers with an opportunity to learn, practice, and apply fundamental research skills.
The undergraduate research course teaches students how to read and interpret research papers, how to conduct a literature review, how to visualize data, and how to create a research proposal. Students leverage those skills in a practical way by applying them to their research projects.
Past participants in the program have described it as an essential and pivotal part of their research career. Van Ha Tran Nguyen, a graduate of Virginia Tech, shared that “Thanks to the UR2PhD program, I was able to work on Augmented Reality research. The program was instrumental in improving my soft skills development.” Ines Santacruz Del Valle, a student from Boston University, noted that the course helped build her confidence. Ines noted “I would definitely recommend this program to other students. It is a new way to experience computer science, its putting the theory we learn from class into practice. And I feel more prepared and confident in my CS skills.”
Applications for the fall term of the research methods course are accepted on a rolling basis, with priority applications due on Friday, August 23, 2024. To apply, students must identify a research project, mentor, and group. Given the collaborative nature of the course, students must also be willing and able to attend all course sessions at the same time as their team.
Students at institutional partner schools should speak to their local coordinator to inquire about how to get involved in the program. Institutional partner schools include: Barnard College, Boston University, New Mexico State University, University of Alberta, University of California Riverside, University of North Texas, University of Waterloo, and Wellesley College.
To learn more about the UR2PhD program, please visit: cra.org/ur2phd To apply, students should visit: https://forms.gle/fkJtemebexP5225CA
