Research

There seems to be an expectation when entering college to know what you want to study, and many people do, but there are also many people who do not. Whichever side you are on, there is one tool that I have seen and experienced first-hand that is super helpful: research. Doing research encompasses a wide range of skills and experiences you could not receive any other way. Through these experiences, you can see all the joys, hard work, and downsides of a chosen field before you graduate and step into it. It is like being able to test drive a car before you buy it. You may enjoy it and decide that this is what you want to do for the rest of your life, or you may think there is something else out there for you. Research not only gives you a look into a day in the life of a researcher, but it may also benefit you in the future.

It is essential to try different research opportunities to find the one that best suits you. If you enjoy working inside a lab, I still recommend volunteering on a field-based project. You may find that you love being in the field and being hands-on with data collection. You may also find that being outside is not something you enjoy, and you may want to stick with an indoor job. Either way, you are at least giving yourself the best chance to find your passion. Finding your passion is not always easy, but with exposure to research, it may be easier to identify. Not only can you find your passion, but you can also benefit yourself in other ways.

You can make connections by helping on ongoing projects or conducting your research. Having connections to different fields of study is extremely useful, even if they are outside the field you want to study. Many, if not all, biological fields are interconnected in some way, shape, or form, and the same principle applies to the people working in them. You not only get to connect with new people, but you also gain a lot of valuable skills to apply everywhere in your life.

Several jobs to learn a new skill that you were previously taught. Whether data analysis or learning to use new equipment or protocols. Through research, you can learn the basics of these skills in a hands-on way that may only sometimes be possible in a classroom setting. You will also be able to learn some "non teachable skills," such as critical thinking and problem-solving. There are very few days in the research world where something does not go wrong. Science is all about trial and error. These problems can help you grow some solid critical thinking skills and make you a better candidate for hiring. Using all these skills you have learned; you can be more confident in your abilities to adapt and conform to your employer's expectations.

Overall, doing research is one of the best things that could have happened to me. I have not only gained vital skills for my future but also made connections with people I would have never met. It is also gratifying to know that I am making a difference with my research and helping others' research. The world needs more people trying to make a difference. No matter what path you choose, you can be sure that doing research is never a negative, even if you decide you do not like it. It is an experience you can hold on to forever.

-Peyton Manry

  Environmental Science. Class of 2025

Honors in the Major

Contact Information

Ginny Adams
Professor and Director of Environmental Science
gadams@uca.edu
LSC 016

Department Requirements

·  Completion of 12 hours in the major at time of project initiation

·  Must complete at least two hours of undergraduate research

·  Overall GPA of 3.25 or better (must be 3.00 or better to begin work)

·  GPA of 3.25 or better in the major (must be 3.00 or better to begin work)

Department Process

1.  Explore and Connect
Are you excited to dive into an Honors Project in Environmental Science? This is a fantastic opportunity to work closely with passionate faculty who love collaborating with students. Start by exploring faculty members whose research aligns with your interests (check out the list here: Faculty Affiliates). Reach out to them and schedule a meeting. Be sure to review their research beforehand so you can discuss how your interests align with theirs. Starting this process by your Junior year will set you up for a successful and rewarding project.  

2.  Crafting Your Project Plan
Once you've found a faculty mentor, you will work together to shape your research plan. Your mentor might propose project ideas that align with current research in their laboratory or highlight promising research areas they are comfortable in mentoring. Together, you’ll explore relevant literature to refine your project’s focus and set a solid foundation. If you are completing a research internship discuss options for a thesis centered around the internship with a faculty advisor.

3.  Proposal Preparation and Submission
Develop a concise research proposal to present to a faculty advisory committee, which you and your mentor will select and invite to serve. Aim to submit this proposal during the first semester of your junior year. This committee, comprising two or three faculty members with expertise in relevant areas, will offer invaluable feedback and guidance. The proposal should be completed at least one semester prior to the final report and presentation.

4.  Review and Approval
The advisory committee, led by your faculty mentor, will review your proposal and provide constructive feedback. You should have the proposal to your committee two weeks prior to meeting. As an honors student, you’re required to complete at least two hours of undergraduate research credit. You can also seek funding opportunities through grant proposals to support your project.

5.  Research Execution
Your research can span the academic year and/or summer. Approach your research project with enthusiasm and dedication and be sure not to procrastinate.

6.  Final Report and Presentation
Upon completing your research, prepare a final report similar in structure to a research article with sections including Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. Submit this report to your faculty advisor for initial feedback and then to the advisory committee at least two weeks before your oral presentation. You’ll present your findings publicly and defend your project to the advisory committee at least three days before the end of the semester.

7.  Review and Graduation
Following your presentation and submission of your final report, the advisory committee will review everything and make a recommendation for graduating with Honors. If their recommendation is positive, they’ll sign your thesis cover page. Ensure you maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA in Environmental Science courses to qualify for Honors. Don’t forget to submit all necessary forms with your thesis and collect the required signatures!  Before the end of the third full week of the semester in which the student intends to graduate, the student must submit a completed Honors in the Majors form to the Registrar and the Environmental Science Director (Ginny Adams, gadams@uca.edu). Download the form here. The thesis and thesis release form (link) must be submitted to the Registrar and the Environmental Science Director by the end of the last week of classes for the semester of graduation. The cover page for thesis can be found here.