Student Research Program

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

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.)

Research projects can relate to any academic program offered at RCBC, including within the Health Sciences, Liberal Arts and STEM divisions. 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.

Requirements & Expectations

Accepted students are required to register in-person after obtaining written permission from their faculty mentor.
Research students will perform research activities each week for the duration of the 10-week term.
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 UGR 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 Criteria and Process

The student research courses are typically run as 10-week courses during the fall, spring, and possibly summer term. The availability of faculty mentors varies each term. Students can apply to the Student Research Program through Handshake.

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.

SRS 150 Introductory Student Research, 1 credit.
Description: This course provides an introduction to the basic requirements of academic research. Students engage in the establishment of research goals, development of a methodology, background literature review, and other forms of preparation typically associated with academic research practices. This directed study course requires a minimum of 1.4 hours per week.
Grading Policy: The assessment depends on the scope of each project and will be determined at the outset of the project. Typical assessments might include a written research report, oral presentation, or poster presentation.

SRS 250 Intermediate Student Research, 2 credits.
Description: This course builds on previous research and provides the opportunity for students to engage in more advanced research practices. Students will collect data, perform analyses, and draw conclusions based upon verifiable evidence. Students will also will learn to develop and deliver presentations of their conclusions and finding. This is a laboratory course. This directed study course requires a minimum of 2.8 hours per week.
Grading Policy: The assessment depends on the scope of each project and will be determined at the outset of the project. Typical assessments might include a written research report, oral presentation, or poster presentation.

SRS 260 Exploratory Student Research, 2 credits.
Description: This course builds on previous research completed in prior semesters. In this course, students are expected to continue to conduct advanced levels of investigations, analyses and conclusions relating to previously established research projects or experiences. This directed study course requires a minimum of 2.8 hours per week.
Grading Policy: The assessment depends on the scope of each project and will be determined at the outset of the project. Typical assessments might include a written research report, oral presentation, or poster presentation.

SRS 270 Advanced Student Research, 2 credits.
Description: The laboratory base course builds on previous research conducted in prior semesters. In this course, students are expected to continue to conduct extended investigations and analysis relation to an on-going research project. This directed study course requires a minimum of 2.8 hours per week.
Grading Policy: The assessment depends on the scope of each project and will be determined at the outset of the project. Typical assessments might include a written research report, oral presentation, or poster presentation.