Frequently Asked Questions

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  • We promote undergraduate research and creative expression by connecting motivated undergraduates with faculty mentors to help facilitate a research/creative project. We also supervise the RES 3399 and 4399 courses.

  • We are open to helping undergraduate students from all majors across campus. We can help you connect with a mentor or research program in your field or in a field related to the topic you have chosen for your project. 

    Note: some majors, like many in the College of Health Professions, have rigorous and defined sequences that cannot be altered to facilitate a research project. If you're in such a major, it's best to speak with your academic advisor about Bobcat IDEA.

  • Great question! Creative projects can take almost any shape or form, and if you decide to do one you will work with your mentor to come up with a project that is both substantial and challenging, but also realistically feasible to complete within one semester. Some examples include:

    • A draft of a one-act play or partial full-length play or screenplay
    • A collection of poems 
    • A collection of short stories or a novella
    • A short-form film or documentary
    • A collection of visual art pieces
    • A collection of musical compositions or recordings
    • A performance art or creative movement/dance piece
    • A series of short videos exploring a topic

    As each project will have different needs, the specifics will be tailored to the individual student's goals and abilities. 

  • Yes! 

  • They can, but it will depend on the specific degree plan. Please make an appointment with your academic advisor to check degree applicability or if a substitution is allowed.

  • Yes! We will assist you in finding a mentor for your project if you haven't already found one. 

  • Yes, you are under no obligation to complete the process. 

    Note: if you are enrolled in RES 3399 or 4399, you will still be subject to drop dates and grades as normal. Please speak with your mentor and/or academic advisor before dropping a course to make sure you understand any ramifications.