Undergraduate Research

One way for highly motivated students to gain practical experience in their field of study at UW-L is to pursue an undergraduate research project in close association with a faculty member of the student's choice. This independent pursuit of a scholarly or creative endeavor should follow a topic of mutual interest to both the student and a faculty sponsor. The undergraduate research experience is much like an apprenticeship and is most suitable for students interested in gaining additional experience in their major and in possibly pursuing advanced studies in the field.

Many graduate school admissions committees and employers now specifically request evidence of some undergraduate research experience by their candidates. Typically, undergraduate research projects will involve a time commitment of greater than one semester, in which the work is pursued in the student's non-class time during and between semesters. Course credit may be earned for such research activity, and an undergraduate research project could serve as the basis for a departmental or university honors thesis. A number of UW-L faculty also may have paid summer positions available for student researchers. Because of the wide variety of possibilities for undergraduate research experiences, students should speak directly with individual faculty members to determine the types of opportunities and specific projects available under their direction. In general, the procedure for carrying out an undergraduate research project involves three steps:

Speak with faculty members about your interests and select one as a sponsor to advise you in your research. Most faculty will have projects or research ideas that they would be happy to discuss with you. Be sure to understand the expectations and commitments required of you.
Plan the project, seek funding (whenever possible), and carry out the research/creative work.
Disseminate your results in the form of a presentation and/or written manuscript.

To assist students in their undergraduate scholarly activity, UWL has initiated the Undergraduate Research Program, which makes funds available to student researchers on a competitive basis for their projects, hosts the annual Celebration of Student Research and Creativity, and publishes the UW-L Journal of Undergraduate Research. Students (with the help of their faculty sponsors) may apply for research funding every academic year. Awards are made in the fall and spring. Recipients are expected to complete their projects and present their work at the Celebration of Student Research and Creativity one year after receipt of the award. Students also must submit a brief manuscript detailing their efforts, and these are published annually in the UW-L Journal of Undergraduate Research. Because carrying out a research project requires a rather long-term commitment, it is advisable that interested students begin speaking and planning their work with faculty sponsors as early in their academic career as possible. Additional information and undergraduate research proposal guidelines are available at