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Student Research Initiative

Research isn't just for graduate school. You can conduct high-level research from RCBC.

Dr. Edem Tetteh presenting to students at research symposium

Program Contact

For additional information regarding this grant-funded initiative, please contact:

STEM Office 
(856) 242-5635
stem@rcbc.edu 

Research Resources

Through the RCBC Student Research Program, students can:
  • Work closely with faculty to research topics that interest them.
  • Learn to apply the scientific method in research.
  • Gain experience that looks great on a resume.
  • Have the potential to publish their findings. (Several RCBC students have had their work published in national journals.)
Student presenting her research project

Research projects can relate to any academic program offered at RCBC. All proposals will be vetted by faculty in relevant fields prior to launch. Students who are accepted into the program will be guided by faculty throughout the project.

Student presenting her research project

Four courses are offered for student research.  These research courses do not satisfy any degree requirements; however, they may possibly be used as elective courses when transferring.  In order to receive credit for a research course, a student must complete the required course outcomes specified by their faculty mentor within a specified time period.

Information about each student research course can be found in the college catalog.

The four research courses are:

SRS 150, 1 credit

SRS 250, 2 credits

SRS 260, 2 credits

SRS 270, 2 credits

The student time requirement per week depends on the number of credits and type of semester.  These requirements are:

15-week (requires an average of 3.0 hours of project work per week per credit)

10-week (requires an average of 4.5 hours of project work per week per credit)

7-week (requires an average of 6.4 hours of project work per week per credit)

Project work may include any or all of the following: lab work, field work, literature searches, data review, calculations, and report/poster writing/oral presentation.  

Each research project is unique, and the research mentor will decide on the requirements and type of work for the course grade.

Requirements & Expectations

  • Accepted students are required to register after obtaining permission to do so.
  • Research students will perform research activities each week for the duration of the project.
  • Research students will be expected to present their research as a final report, poster, or oral presentation.  The faculty mentor will decide the required form of the deliverable.
  • It is anticipated that research students will participate in the Lunch and Learn sessions and the Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium.

Benefits of Student Research

  • Student research provides the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the Scientific Method. A SRS student’s experience may include literature searches, experimental design, experimentation, data interpretation, and presentation of the project.
  • Student research provides the opportunity to improve laboratory techniques and learn new techniques.
  • Student research enhances a student’s resume, which may lead to other opportunities after RCBC.
  • Student research provides experience with and dedication to seeing a project through to completion.

Application Process

The student research courses typically run during the fall, spring, and possibly summer term.  The availability of faculty mentors varies each term. Students can inquire about the Student Research Initiative by emailing the faculty members that they are interested in working with.