Why Research ?

What is Undergraduate Research and why is it important ?

From the Council of Undergraduate Research: Undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative inquiry is fundamentally a pedagogical approach to teaching and learning. With an emphasis on process, CUR defines undergraduate research as:  A mentored investigation or creative inquiry conducted by undergraduates that seeks to make a scholarly or artistic contribution to knowledge. 

Undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative inquiry enriches undergraduate education and helps students achieve their academic and career goals through the critical skills they gain and sharpen through these experiences.” 

Through undergraduate research, scholarship, and other creative activities, students are able to delve deeper in their subject matter and gain a richer understanding of their discipline that is beyond the usual classroom experience. It enables students to meet a larger community of researchers, professionals, and research mentors who can support and encourage them. 

With research experience, students become more competitive as they apply for jobs, fellowships, internships and graduate and professional schools. They are able to leverage their research experiences as they build a compelling, well-rounded portfolio of academic courses, professional training, research experiences, and outreach activities.

Mission of the CUR: The mission of the CUR (Center for Undergraduate Research) is to assist SJU undergraduate students and provide resources as they strive  towards achieving a high-quality and meaningful research experience as undergraduates. We do this by providing, among others:

a. seminars and workshops to develop research-relevant skills

b. providing an updated database of SJU faculty researchers to facilitate student search for research mentors

c. provide venues and platforms to promote undergraduate research such as the Undergraduate Research Symposium

d. administer Summer Scholarship Program and USURF Summer Research Fellowships

e. encourage students to apply for external fellowships, internships and research experiences, and

f.  seek out external funding, collaborations, and opportunities to support undergraduate research-related programming.

Benefits of Undergraduate Research

• Enhances student learning through mentoring relationships with faculty

• Increases retention and graduation in academic programs

• Increases enrollment in graduate education and provides effective career preparation

• Develops critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and intellectual independence

• Develops an understanding of research methodology

• Promotes an innovation-oriented culture

• Develops competencies that speak to career-readiness

With research experience, students become more competitive in the job market and graduate school.