Dean’s Undergraduate Scholars Program

Dean’s Undergraduate Scholars Program

The purpose of the Dean’s Undergraduate Scholars Program is to encourage and support undergraduate students in the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts in research, creative works and curriculum development and delivery for teaching capstones. Scholars will have the opportunity to explore and actively participate in diverse aspects of research, creative work and teaching methodology processes. Some elements to be included could be:

  • Developing research questions and hypotheses.
  • Engaging in data collection (both qualitative and quantitative).
  • Analyzing data.
  • Drawing conclusions based on the findings of the research.
  • Using research methods to inform creative practice.
  • Developing skills in crafting creative work in the arts.
  • Investigating teaching methodologies and curriculum to enhance student engagement and learning.

Through these experiences, the students will develop their critical thinking and communication skills while contributing to research, creative work and/or teaching methodologies to their field.

NOTE: Special consideration will be given to proposals that exhibit potential for publication, conference presentations and/or performance submissions. One approach is for students to begin their project in their junior year, in order for them to submit for conferences, festivals and journal publications in their senior year. Additional funding to support research travel is offered through the Office of Academic Affairs. See the scholarships page for more details.

This is a funding opportunity to enhance and support graduate and doctoral student research. Research projects supporting faculty research will not be considered.

Format

The collaboration between faculty and student(s) takes place over three semesters: summer, fall and spring.

The first aspect of the project begins in the summer, where students and faculty meet for an intensive seminar over one summer session as determined by the faculty and student’s schedules. This allows the faculty member mentor and student mentees to discuss the project, develop questions and hypotheses, and determine the scope of the project. For the remainder of the term, students will write the proposal for the Undergraduate Research Scholars (LAUNCH) program and submit an IRB (if appropriate). Faculty members will meet on a regular basis with the students to discuss the proposal and provide feedback. Students must also enroll in a zero-credit course where the faculty mentor is the instructor of record.

In the fall semester, based on the project students should complete the following:

  • Conduct their research and collect data.
  • Research and begin approaches to creative processes.
  • Research and begin formulating an approach to teaching.

The spring semester should include data analysis and visualization, drawing conclusions, finalizing choreography, incorporating design elements into their creative work (lighting and costuming), finalizing lesson plans, giving lectures on developed curriculum, preparing for performance, etc.

Throughout this process, the URS will require written updates which will assist the student in writing up their project and provide an opportunity for a first draft for future publications.

Criteria

  • Faculty applicants should be College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts faculty members, as defined as 50% or more of their appointment is within the college.
  • Faculty members should support at least one qualified undergraduate student through a year-long research project. For students to be eligible they should fulfill the following criteria:

    a. Have completed at least 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework.

    b. Have at least 24 credit hours at Texas A&M University.

    c. Have and maintain at least a cumulative GPR of 3.0.

    d. Be currently involved in or planning to start an undergraduate research or creative work project.

    e. Submit a copy of their proposed research project through this form.

  • Selected faculty members must attend faculty orientation sessions through the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts and the LAUNCH office.

  • Selected students must attend student orientation sessions within the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts and the LAUNCH office.

  • This experience is conceived as a gateway to the Undergraduate Research Scholars (URS) program. The summer experience should lead to a proposal for the URS program prior to the posted deadline. Students may enroll in 291, 285, 491, or 485 coursework, or engage in the research independent of formal coursework. Learn more about the TAMU URS Program.

  • The URS culminates in at least one public presentation — either in the department, student research week, or a presentation at an academic meeting — and a written thesis.

  • Faculty members will be actively engaged in the mentoring process, working closely with the undergraduate research scholars. They should be in residence during the two-week intensive summer meetings; correspond on a weekly basis with the students during the remainder of the summer; and correspond on at least a bi-weekly basis during the fall and spring terms.

Funding Award

Faculty members will receive $1,000 in professional development monies or guiding the research team. Students who participate in the program will receive a $500 scholarship in the summer, $500 in the fall and $500 in the spring terms, contingent upon their active participation in the process. If the student begins the process in the junior year and continues to present or publish their findings in their senior year (by the beginning of their last semester), they can apply for an additional $500 scholarship to be applied in their fall or spring semester tuition.

Application Process

Faculty members interested in pursuing this opportunity should submit an application through this form by May 1. The application should be no more than one page and include the following information:

  • Faculty information: Name, rank, academic program and section associated with, and TAMU contact information.
  • Student(s) information: Name, major, UIN, GPR and contact information.
  • Project information: Title, lay abstract of no more than 1,000 words explaining the purpose, scope and impact of the project. Research compliance information should also be included.
  • Student engagement: Outline the anticipated plan for engaging the undergraduates in the research process, including meetings, mentoring plan, feedback process and the like. Also include a tentative syllabus for the two-week intensive summer session.
  • Other: Include other relevant information, including the mentoring of other students, and research accomplishments.