Faculty-supervised independent or collaborative inquiry into fundamental and applied problems within a discipline that requires students to gather, analyze, and synthesize and interpret data and to present results in writing and other relevant communication formats.
Nontraditional Format: This course belongs to a progressive research course sequence to promote a student's increasing skill development and depth of inquiry, as well as growing independent research capability. This course requires the close supervision of a faculty member as the student undertakes a systematic and in-depth inquiry into unknown, fundamental, and applied problems. In some cases, the student will work collaboratively as part of a research team. The student will have to apply understanding of the discipline to identify or shape research questions and apply skills and techniques learned to the research project. Students will gather data, synthesize relevant literature, analyze, and interpret data. The student will present results in writing or through participation in research-group or program meetings and meetings with their faculty mentor. The student will receive feedback from the faculty mentor on their research progress and written or oral presentation of results. A minimum of 45 hours of work per credit hour per semester is required.