Undergraduate Program

Research Experience Program (REP)

University Coordinator: John Augusto, phone: 864-7351; E-mail: jaugusto@ku.edu.

SPLH Contact: Holly Storkel, phone: 864-0497; E-mail: hstorkel@ku.edu.

The REP is based on the premise that, as a major research university, the University of Kansas should provide learning opportunities grounded in a research tradition that is not found in smaller universities or liberal arts colleges. All students should be familiar with the research methods of their respective disciplines and should have opportunities to participate in research experiences with the faculty. There are many efforts underway to promote undergraduate research experiences at KU. However, there has not been an official recognition on a student's university transcript of an identified research experience. The implementation of the Research Experience Program addresses this need.

There are two components of the SPLH version of this program: (1) coursework in research/creative methods and (2) an independent research/creative project under the direction of SPLH faculty.

1. In terms of the coursework requirement, students must complete 2 research/creative methods courses with a grade of C or better. Options include:
• SPLH 465 Fundamentals of Clinical Phonetics
• SPLH 565 Language Sample Analysis;
• SPLH 660 Research Methods.
2. In terms of the research/creative project, students must complete at least one semester of SPLH 498 Honors Seminar or SPLH 499 Directed Study, where they will pursue a research/creative project under the mentoring of SPLH faculty. Each student’s completed project must be shared with a wider audience. Options for sharing the research/creative project include:
• Presentation at the SPLH Undergraduate Research Symposium (occurs at the end of each semester)
• Presentation at the KU Undergraduate Research Symposium (occurs each Spring)
• Written thesis
• Presentation at a national meeting
• Submission of the paper as author/co-author for publication
3. Complete certification form and return to the REP office

In terms of the relationship between the REP and the departmental honors program, the REP is a more flexible program The departmental honors program has a set GPA requirement (i.e., 3.50 in the major; 3.25 overall). The departmental honors program also requires completion of 6 credits of SPLH 498 Honors Seminar. The REP has no GPA requirement (although students must earn a C or better in the research/creative methods courses) and only requires a semester of research activity (although students are able to complete a maximum of 6 credits of SPLH 499 or 8 credits of SPLH 498). Thus, the REP may be more appropriate for students who do not meet the departmental honors program GPA requirements or those who have more restricted schedules. Students are able to “double count” the research experience. That is, those completing the departmental honors program also meet the requirements for REP and can apply for REP certification. In addition, completion of REP or departmental honors can fulfill one of the six requirements of the University Honors Program.

Students interested in the REP and/or departmental honors program should contact Holly Storkel (hstorkel@ku.edu, 864-0497) for more information and for help identifying an SPLH mentor.

Funding notes: It may be possible to obtain funding for your research/creative project or presentation of your research/creative project through one of the following:

1. Undergraduate Research Award (UGRA) – This program is administered through the University Honors Program and is open to all students. Applications are accepted each semester and consist of a 4-page research proposal and 2 letters of recommendation. Awards vary from $500-$1200. See www.honors.ku.edu/research/ugra.shtml for more information.
2. University Scholars Program – This program is administered through the University Honors Program and is open to all outstanding sophomores. Applications are accepted in the fall. Selected students complete a 3-hour seminar course and are paired with a faculty mentor to complete a research project. Students receive $250 per semester for 5 semesters. See www.honors.ku.edu/scholarships/universityscholars.shtml for more information.
3. Programs for minority students – There are a number of different programs for minority students interested in pursuing research. Applications are typically accepted once per year for each program, and there is often a preference for enrolling students in the program early in their college careers. Thus, students are typically eligible to apply in their freshman or sophomore years. The programs include the Bioscience Initiative ( www2.ku.edu/~imsd); Haskell Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement ( www.haskell.edu/academic/art_sci/rise/RISEHOME.htm); Haskell BRIDGE Program (www2.ku.edu/~bridge/).
4. Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA) – This program is administered through the KU Center for Research. Applications are accepted each semester. The program provides half the funding (maximum amount $1250) for KU faculty members to employ undergraduate research assistants on research projects. See www.rgs.ku.edu/depts/training/ura_fund/ura_fund.shtml for more information.
5. J. Michael Young Opportunity Grant – This program is administered through the University Honors Program and is open to all students. Applications are accepted 5 times during the year to fund students ($300) to travel to professional conferences or to travel to conduct research off-campus. See www.honors.ku.edu/scholarships/jmyoung.shtml for more information.