Overview of Program Activities

In ERSP, students participate in one academic year of research with their research advisor, in return for course credits per semester on pass/fail basis. Students apply and are accepted to the program at the end of their first year, during the spring term of the academic year before their engagement in ERSP.  Prior to the deadline for enrolling in fall classes, students are selected and notified of their acceptance in the program.

Program Outline

1. In the fall semester, students take CICS 237 (2 cr) 'Introduction to Research in the Discipline’ course to learn the skills and knowledge needed to begin a research project.  Students also meet weekly with their research advisors and their group. A team-based approach is used in the completion of all work within this program. 

2. In the spring semester, students are enrolled in CICS 396A (3cr) 'Independent Study - Directed Research Group’ course and carry out their proposed research project in teams.  They continue to meet weekly with their research mentor, and also meet weekly with an ERSP central mentor for support.  This course may count as a major elective for CS and Informatics majors with UPD approval, subject to program rules that apply to independent study courses.

Check your eligibility.

An overview of the ERSP timeline and deliverables
for the 2025-2026 cohort is shown here: