Why is undergraduate research, creative activity, and scholarship important?

The intellectual success of a university is enhanced by understanding that inquiry, investigation, and discovery is paramount, whether in funded research projects, undergraduate classrooms, or graduate assistantships. Everyone at a university should have the opportunity to be an innovator, a discoverer, a researcher.

The Council on Undergraduate Research defines Undergraduate Research as a mentored investigation or creative inquiry conducted by undergraduate students that seek to make a scholarly or artistic contribution to knowledge.
Research includes forms of scholarly works and/or creative activities in all academic majors.

• Students learn to take responsibility for their own learning, and understand that they have the skills to learn in any situation.
• Students develop their own perspective and voice, and learn how to construct an argument based on their own exploration of a topic.
• Students become more proficient at distinguishing evidence-based information from subjective information.
• Students build tolerance for obstacles faced in the research process.
• Students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Students develop self-confidence.
• Students improve oral and written communication skills.
• Students develop the ability to ask researchable questions, explore possible solutions, and use evidence as they analyze the results of their work.

The experience of undergraduate research creates fundamental changes in students who learn both analytical skills and problem-solving abilities as well as professional development competencies.

With the aid of scientific research, students in their respective areas of interest record immense success, growth and advancement with collaborative interdisciplinary teamwork.