An honors thesis is a thirty- to eighty-page research essay, usually completed in a student's senior year. Although it may take one or two semesters to complete, the thesis is commonly the culmination of a student's work and experiences throughout their college career. Some departments require that students orally defend their thesis to qualify for honors.
Studying abroad can offer unique opportunities that give students personal and meaningful access to people, places, and materials that would normally be too impractical for a research project. Likewise, internships allow students to gain practical insight to their research through hands-on work. Students can start their internships or study abroad opportunities with a developed research topic or they may choose to participate in an established program that is combined with research.
Volunteering with a nonprofit, government agency, or community service organization can offer students an opportunity to access unique groups and information. If applicable to their research, students may find that these organizations can provide immense support, guidance, and inspiration for research projects.
The Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program provides a structured opportunity for faculty to receive assistance with research projects while giving students exposure and experience conducting research in various disciplines within Liberal Arts. Students are not expected to do their own research projects; rather, students will assist in ongoing faculty research projects. Students must have 60 or fewer hours to be eligible for this program.
The Bridging Disciplines Programs allow students to choose one of 11 different interdisciplinary concentrations in which they will take 19 credit hours of coursework from a panel of faculty members in, or related to, the specific discipline. BDP students have the advantage of becoming involved in research projects and internships that complement their areas of study. Students can also get involved in research while studying abroad. (LINK TO BDP PAGE)
Created in 2005 for students in the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Natural Sciences, the Texas IP is a six-course interdisciplinary plan rooted in a critical thinking and writing foundation and crowned by a capstone project in the senior year.
Four features make the Texas IP unique:
The program culminates with the senior-year Texas IP Capstone Seminar, which allows students to expand on what they've learned in their studies. With the help and guidance of their Capstone professor, students research their topic and present their results at the Capstone symposium.
The University of Texas at Austin hosts a number of undergraduate research programs on campus each summer. These programs select academically talented and motivated undergraduates to participate in exciting research in a variety of disciplines.
Want the freedom to explore academic and intellectual areas that you are interested in, but want a structured framework to work within? Consider Intellectual Entrepreneurship.
The Undergraduate Research Opportunities page is a new feature that allows faculty to post opportunities for undergraduates to assist with faculty research in Liberal Arts. Students can search by department, date, time commitment, key word, or if course credit is offered. This college-specific posting feature is the only one of its kind.
Eureka features an online directory of faculty research interests for the more than 1,800 faculty members and research scientists at UT Austin. Visitors to the site are able to search by keyword and find faculty from a wide range of fields working on a variety of topics.
Students use Eureka to find tips on getting started in research, information on funding and publication, and postings by UT faculty for research positions here on campus. In addition, interested students have the option to meet individually with staff research coordinators to develop strategies for getting involved and find placements.
The office holds weekly information sessions for students who are interested and looking to get involved in research. Undergraduate research advisors are available during the sessions to answer questions and talk about strategies to help students get involved.
Undergraduate researchers at The University of Texas at Austin will find many opportunities for funding and recognition. There are college and university scholarships and awards available, ranging from $500 to $20,000 to help with the cost of research. Each scholarship and award has its own criteria, deadlines, and application. For more details about each of these awards please contact the awarding department.
