Undergraduate Research strengthens academic understanding and fosters valuable professional skills. This toolkit helps you prepare for research, connect with mentors, and make the most of each research experience. It's a starting point for Discovery For Every Discipline, and the OUR is here to support you throughout your journey!
The best way to take advantage of the cutting-edge research, academic opportunities, and high-quality resources available to you at the University of South Carolina is through a faculty-mentored research experience. We have gathered the steps and resources you need to get connected below. USC is a R1 university with a high level of research activity, so there is Discovery for Every Discipline—no matter your major or academic path.
These may be specialized areas of your major, an interdisciplinary practice related to your area of study, or something you read or talked about in class. There might be real-life headlines that grab your attention and are being addressed through research at USC. If you are undecided about your major, research can help you explore programs you are considering.
Talk to current or previous professors (take advantage of office hours!), your advisor, or older students in your major, for suggestions. You can also use the OUR Faculty Research Data link to search faculty members and their research focus by keywords, campus, college/school, and/or department.
Using a professional writing style, share info about yourself and your goals. Tell them succinctly why you are reaching out and what interests you about their research. Finally, ask if they are available to meet to discuss research opportunities they may have. Attach a resume if you have one. OUR staff would be happy to review an email before you hit send, just send your email to our@sc.edu and request an edit!
Most faculty have information regarding their experiences and research readily available on their website or in their directory page. Review this and write down any questions that come up. -Consider questions you might have regarding your role on the research team. -Be prepared to share your schedule and a general number of hours per week you can devote to working on research.
Conducting research for academic credit is a great way to learn how to do research specific to your field of interest and build relationships with faculty. There are a variety of opportunities, including research methods courses and independent studies. Check with your Advisor or Faculty Mentor about getting academic credit for your research.
Register it and Represent! Record your undergraduate research experience in the Research Registry. This is required every semester.
Check out Grants for Undergraduate Research offered through the OUR. W want to support you through every step of your research experience!
Stay up to date on all everything available to you as a student researcher! We share upcoming events, grant deadlines, researcher recruitment, trainings and other opportunities.
There are many great ways to showcase the work you have done with your Faculty Mentor. The OUR hosts Discover USC each April and has a great page of resources to help you prepare for your presentation.