Undergraduate Research

Lene H. Petersen, PhD
Chair of Undergraduate Research 
Instructional Assistant Professor of Marine Biology

undergraduateresearch@tamug.edu
OCSB (Bldg. 3029) Rm. 252
(409) 740-4786

The URS program seeks to involve any eligible undergraduate in the “graduate student” experience by involving them in the academic research and publication process within a scholarly community to produce a thesis. Submissions from individuals or teams writing a joint thesis (max. of 5 students) are welcome.

This program ensures the unified format of undergraduate theses published at Texas A&M University. Undergraduate Research Scholars engage in a two-semester (Fall/Spring) research project conducted under the supervision of a Texas A&M University faculty mentor that culminates in a public presentation and written thesis. Throughout the academic year, students write theses in progression and must meet intermediate submission deadlines. These deadlines are specified in our program timeline and are meant to ensure that theses follow the formatting outlined in the Undergraduate Research Scholars Thesis Manual. Please take into consideration our final thesis deadline when planning your projects. All projects and theses must be completed within our program dates.

Upon completion, theses are deposited into the Undergraduate Research Scholars collection in the Texas A&M University Libraries Digital Repository.

Undergraduates who participate in the Undergraduate Research Scholars program will:

• Experience the complete process of writing a scholarly thesis
• Learn how to make a public presentation
• Gain knowledge that didn’t come from a classroom such as teamwork, problem solving, and leadership
• Improve chances for acceptance into graduate or professional schools, fellowships, and grants
• Gain a better understanding of graduate school
• Network with students and faculty

Learn more about the TAMU URS program

Scholarship awardees will receive a $1,000 scholarship per semester. Scholarships can be held for either 1 or 2 semesters. Scholarship renewal from the Fall to Spring semester will depend on successful recommendation of the faculty mentor and demonstration of appropriate progress (as determined by the TAMUG Undergraduate Research Program). Travel and/or research awards of up to $500 per student are available for conference expenses and research supplies. Only 1 award will be given per student but funds can be carried over from Fall to Spring semesters.

Supported students are strongly encouraged to apply to the TAMU LAUNCH Undergraduate Research Scholars Program running from Fall to Spring every year (please note separate eligibility criteria may apply).
Selection of students will be based on meeting the eligibility criteria listed below, the quality of the narrative (both the personal and educational statements), and letter of support from the faculty mentor.

• Be a Freshman, Sophomore, Junior or Senior
• Be registered full-time (12 credit hours) within any TAMUG major
• Have a faculty mentor who will provide guidance, support and research space/supplies (needs to be established at time of application)
• Intend to graduate from TAMUG
• Be available to work a minimum of 10 hours/week on the project during the academic year

• Assist the student in developing a meaningful research project outside of the classroom
• Provide a high impact learning experience in a research laboratory of field setting
• Provide laboratory space (field work is also acceptable), equipment and supplies
• Meet with the student on a regular basis to monitor project progress
• Assist student in all aspects of the preparation of a poster and oral presentation (i.e., including data analysis and interpretation)
• Promote student co-authorship on resulting publication(s), as appropriate

• Gain outside-of-the-classroom marketable skills for graduate school preparation and/or preparation for jobs
• Participation in high impact learning research activities with the potential towards peer reviewed publications(s)
• Be part of a strong network of faculty, lab groups, and other undergraduate research participants

• Before beginning research activities, it is the responsibility of you and your faculty mentor to meet all TAMU Research Compliance Requirements (IRB, IACUC, IBC).
• It is a requirement that all undergraduate student researchers must complete the CITI RCR training within 60 days from their initial involvement in research activities.
• All scholarship awardees are required to register for 491 research credits (either 0 or variable credits).
• All scholarship recipients are required to attend and present their undergraduate research at a national, international or at the TAMUG annual student research symposium.
• All scholarship recipients are required to submit an end-of semester activity/progress report detailing their accomplishments over the semester (form will be emailed to you)

UGR Scholarship Application

Yes. Students interested in participating in research through a 491, or the Undergraduate Research Scholars program are eligible to apply for scholarship funding through several scholarship programs available to students. Please visit: Funding Opportunities at TAMUG for more information.

If you are currently a LAUNCH Undergraduate Research Scholar, you have exclusive access to apply for a travel award or poster voucher to fulfill the presentation requirement for the program. Please email undergraduateresearch@tamug.edu for more information.

Students can use the Texas A & M University LAUNCH Database of Undergraduate Research Opportunities to search for internal and external funding.
Students are also encouraged to talk to members in their colleges and departments for additional opportunities.

There is substantial room for flexibility with research. At TAMUG, research opportunities are open to all undergraduates, and you do not have to be an honors student. Research is often a collaborative effort between undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty using an inquiry-based approach to generate new knowledge. As such, undergraduate research qualifies as a “high-impact practice,” providing students an opportunity to integrate, apply, and reflect on their knowledge. Research allows students to take learning beyond the classroom.

Students who participate in undergraduate research gain many skills that they might not otherwise acquire from classroom instruction:

• Writing, data collection, and analysis
• Teamwork, problem solving, time management, and effective communication

Undergraduate researchers gain a deeper understanding of their chosen field not only by actively participating in it, but through mentoring relationships with faculty and graduate students. 

Undergraduate research helps students clarify career goals by identifying passions and a better perspective on what it means to be a professional the field.

As a result, student researchers are more likely to be satisfied with their undergraduate education and continue on to graduate or professional school.  Research experience strengthens applications for graduate and professional schools, business, or industrial positions by expanding technical skills and professional knowledge, improving resumes/CVs, and providing opportunities for strong letters of recommendation. 

Finally, it can be a lot of fun. You generate new knowledge, meet interesting people, and undergraduate researchers generate new knowledge, meet interesting people, and they might even get paid for doing it.

Undergraduate research exists in every department at TAMUG in variable capacities. Students are not necessarily required to conduct research in their major department. Check with departmental advisors to verify degree requirements for undergraduate research. Students are encouraged to follow their passion and contact several faculty in their area of interest to explore opportunities.

The office of Research Compliance and Biosafety (RCB) is responsible for providing training and support to faculty, students, and staff in regulatory requirements for research. RCB provides administrative and operational support for Texas A&M’s research compliance review committees as well as other research compliance programs designated at the university.

Projects may require approval through Research Compliance and Biosafety committees if they involve:

1. Human Subjects: Institutional Review Board (IRB)
2. Vertebrate Animals: Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
3. Biohazards: Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

Note: Please be aware that if you are using social media and/or online content, you may be subject to review by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

There is no “honors thesis,” however, students participating in an honors program can use their Undergraduate Research Scholars (URS) thesis as their capstone experience. The URS thesis is open to any undergraduate student regardless of whether s/he participates in the University Honors Program, or departmental or college honors programs.

Please contact the TAMUG Honors Program Advisor Ms. Barbara Dover (doverb@tamug.edu) for more information.

A capstone is defined as a year-long integrative experience that allows students to combine their career goals, majors, and interests in faculty-mentored independent projects that focus on leadership, research, community service, or teaching. Students in the honors programs can use the LAUNCH Undergraduate Research Scholars (URS) thesis program to fulfill their capstone requirement, or apply for a departmental capstone. Students should consult with their departmental and honors advisors to determine additional requirements and/or eligibility for capstone experiences.

Students need to speak to their home departments and/or faculty advisors to open a research section for a 491 course. 491 courses can be 0 credit or variable credit, and may carry either a letter grade or S/U designation. Students should consult the Office of Financial Aid to determine if registration in a research course affects financial aid packages or any scholarships.

To be eligible, the student must:

• Apply to the UGR Scholars Program through LAUNCH
• Be actively involved in an independent undergraduate research project throughout both the fall and spring semesters under the mentorship of a TAMUG Faculty member throughout the academic year
• Have completed at least 60 credit hours (junior status) of undergraduate course work
• Have at least 24 credit hours at TAMUG
• Have and maintain a cumulative GPR of at least 3.0
• Be expecting to graduate in May of the current academic year, or later

Upon acceptance to the UGR Scholars program students will be expected to:

• Register for a 491 course (0-4 credit hours)
• Produce a written undergraduate thesis to be published in the Undergraduate Research Scholars Capstone Collection in the Texas A&M OAKTrust Repository, or in a peer-reviewed journal
• Attend the Orientation and Thesis Workshop in October
• Adhere to all thesis deadlines throughout the academic year as set by LAUNCH
• Make a public presentation at the TAMUG Student Research Symposium or other local or national conference or symposium by the end of the Spring semester

To be eligible, the student must:

• Apply through LAUNCH
• Have at least one semester of faculty-mentored undergraduate research experience
• Have at least 60 credit hours (24 hours at TAMUG)
• Have and maintain a GPR of 3.0 or higher
• Possess outstanding oral communication skills
• Be able to enthusiastically describe your undergraduate research to a general audience
• Be willing to serve as a source of information on how to get involved in undergraduate research
• Be expecting to graduate in May of the current academic year, or later
• Provide a letter of support from a Texas A&M faculty mentor

Upon acceptance to program UGR students will be expected to:

• Participate in an all-day orientation and training in August
• Attend Ambassador meetings
• Participate in at least 10 hours of activities per semester, including:
  • LAUNCH-sponsored events
  • Workshops
  • Student consultations
  • Presentations to classes, student organizations, prospective students, parents, and administrators
• Review, interview, and train the incoming class of Ambassadors