Undergraduate research is an inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline (www.cur.org).
The goals of the Undergraduate Research webpage are:
- To assist all UCSC undergraduates to engage in the world-class research accomplished at UCSC and/or other programs or institutions
- To provide a central clearing house to help faculty, staff, prospective students, and the community to become aware of the wide array of research resources in the region available to undergraduates
- To increase awareness of the important contributions of UCSC undergraduates to research
Undergraduates participate in the world-class cross-disciplinary research, both creative and scientific, conducted at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Professional researchers substantially gain from the students’ hard work, energy, curiosity, and fresh perspectives. Undergraduates benefit both academically and through career exploration as they engage in the pursuit of knowledge. In addition, the creativity, curiosity, focus, diligence, verbal and written fluency, and respect for others’ contributions that are necessary to thrive as an undergraduate researcher are critical precursors for understanding and engaging with modern cultural and academic challenges.
UCSC strives to include students from all backgrounds in undergraduate research. In Science, Technology, Math and Engineering (STEM) fields, programs such as the University of California Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS) provide research training to participating students to help prepare them to compete successfully for entry into graduate programs leading to the Ph.D. in the biomedical sciences. In the Humanities and Social Sciences, students in the Pathways to Research Program run by the Educational Opportunity Program are paired with a graduate student mentor in their respective area of study to develop a year-long plan regarding involvement in research and post graduation plans.