Undergraduate Research Apprenticeships
Most of the world-class faculty in our school started their careers as undergraduate researchers. For many, the experience of working closely with outstanding scientists on their research projects helped them decide on their career paths, gave them mentoring, built their resumes and helped them develop skills far beyond what is possible through regular classroom instruction. Participating as a collaborator in research can significantly help students shape and reach their intellectual and career goals, as well as enrich the learning experience. It also helps students connect with a community of student peers and mentors (such as graduate students) who share their interests and passions, and to gain confidence and skills.
Our research apprenticeship program matches students with faculty to open opportunities for our undergraduates to work with individual faculty and their research teams on our school’s many outstanding research projects. The school fits students to faculty-led research projects that best suit their interests, skills and experience. Generally, research experiences are differentiated as entry level, mid level and upper level, which reflect the students’ experience working on school projects based on the feedback of faculty they have worked with. While ideally students work over time with the same faculty so they can grow to understand the research and become increasingly involved as a collaborator, there is also allowance for moving across projects as makes sense (given changes in students interests and changes in faculty).
Types of Apprenticeships
Entry-Level Undergraduate Research Apprenticeships
The first stage of developing skills as a student researcher is learning the basics of how research is managed and how the research projects work. Some of the activities people may do as they are learning how things work are data entry, managing research materials or other types of project support. In the entry-level apprenticeship, students are focused on building a working relationship with a specific faculty member and developing and demonstrating such critical research skills as teamwork, commitment, reliability and accuracy. Normally an entry-level assignment would be for no more than 1-2 semesters, just sufficient for the faculty member and student to learn about each other's skills, work styles and goals. Students advance to mid- or upper- level assignments based on semester-by-semester evaluations of the supervising faculty.
Mid-Level Undergraduate Research Apprenticeships
Once students have demonstrated core competencies (acquiring basic research skills, attention to detail, working well as part of a team) in an entry-level apprenticeship, students may do 1-2 semesters in which they are given more substantive responsibilities and expand to provide core functions on the research team. This is when students get involved more directly in creating new knowledge.
Upper-Level Undergraduate Research Apprenticeships
Once the student has developed an ongoing collaborative relationship with the research team, and acquired the necessary skills, he or she can take the lead in executing parts of projects, become involved in the research as a full student-collaborator and work on such core scientific activities as publication. Within research teams, students may develop their own line of collaborative research, such as would be suitable for a senior or honors thesis. Any school resources in support of student research are prioritized for award to upper-level apprentices. Upper-level (and sometimes mid-level) students are expected and supported to participate in the annual school research symposium, where they will present the results of their research activities as a poster. Our upper-level apprentices are expected to show leadership, and help shape new knowledge and contribute to ASU's goals to help the community and society to meet our most pressing challenges.
FAQs
How do you find the available research apprenticeships?
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has a database of research apprenticeships available to undergraduate students. Be sure to limit your search to the “
Course Credit
At all stages of their research apprenticeship, we encourage students to get credit for the important work they are doing. It is up to the lead faculty member on the research project whether or not to grant credit. Options for courses include:
ASB/ASM/AML/SSH 499 Individualized Instruction (1-3 credits)*
ASB/ASM/AML/SSH 484 Internship Credit (1-3 credits)*
*Credit hours are to be determined by a research contract between the student and the faculty mentor and relate to the number of hours per week.
Criteria for Participants
Preference will be given to students affiliated with the School of Human Evolution and Social Change, but students from all majors are encouraged to apply. Students should have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
Application Process
Students must download and complete the application. The completed application packet should be turned into SHESC 233.
Questions?
Contact shesc.undergrad@asu.edu.
