Awarding Credit for Undergraduate Research (V9R)
Students may earn credit for research through two main faculty-mentored paths:
- One-on-one/team-based faculty-mentored research (V9R courses)
- Course-based research experiences (-RES)
The Goal
The goal is to have all undergraduate research students enroll in a V9R or -RES courses during the semesters they are participating in research.
The Benefits
For Students
- The level and duration of research activity is accurately reflected on the transcript.
- Students will be more easily identified and invited to apply for prestigious internships and awards (e.g. Fulbright, Goldwater, etc.) that they may not know of otherwise.
For Faculty
- These course designations provide a systematic process for faculty to formalize expectations and hold students accountable for their responsibilities.
- Course enrollment provides an objective record of the number of students mentored, which is important for annual performance reviews, grant proposals, and awards and recognition.
- As data are collected and research across the university is recognized and celebrated, there will be increased opportunities for collaboration and interdisciplinary projects.
For the University
- By having all schools and departments adopt standard methods for counting research courses, administrative departments will be able to create reports and seek donors and sponsors for a variety of areas.
- By having comprehensive information, the university can create objective goals of providing further support and resources that directly support the teaching and research mission of the university.
- Long-term data from research course data will allow for assessment and help inform decisions for future directions.
Types of Undergraduate Research Courses
Individual Research Experiences (V9R Courses)
Traditional one-on-one research experiences vary by discipline, but typically involve a student working closely with a faculty mentor. While some faculty may guide a group of students, most students pursue individual projects with personalized mentoring.
These experiences can earn academic credit in any discipline through enrollment in a V9R course.
Understanding the V9R Framework
The framework below helps determine the most appropriate V9R course for a student based on two key dimensions:
- Horizontal Axis: Represents the origin of the research idea. It may range from:
- Faculty-led research (student contributes as an assistant)
- Student-initiated independent projects
- Or a blend of both
- Vertical Axis: Represents the level of research rigor, ranging from:
- Exploratory or early-stage research
- To work suitable for professional publication
This flexible model supports a wide variety of research experiences and helps match students with the right course based on their goals and project scope.
Course Levels and Credit for V9R
As illustrated, V9R courses may be offered at the 1000, 2000, 3000, or 4000 level, depending on the nature and depth of the research experience. The decision on how to assign course credit is made at the departmental level.
For more detailed guidance on course numbering and credit recommendations, please refer to the document titled "Guidelines for V9R Courses."
Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURES)
If you have an idea for a new CURE, please consider applying for the Faculty Impact Grants.