Undergraduate Research Scholars Program

Definition: This category reflects student activities that engage them in the process of planning, researching, and executing scholarly or creative work. Criteria may include curricular work beyond programmatic requirements or extracurricular activities that involve planning and executing a scholarly or creative project. The list of criteria is intended to include any activities that could serve as entry points to Category II.

Implementation. Activities in this category may be recognized by registering for any of the classes listed. Extracurricular activities may be recognized by application from the student pending approval of the academic advisor and CSURF.

Criteria: 6 credit hours (or the equivalent) from the following list.

Classes:

• XXX 491 Directed Individual Study
• XXX 499 Honors Work in Major Department
• Other research-oriented courses to be suggested by departments

Equivalents (credit hour value determined by academic advisor similar to DIS):

• Serving as a research assistant on a faculty-led project.
• Developing proposals for grants, travel awards, scholarships, or fellowships.
• Study abroad, internship, or community outreach project with a research component.
• Other classes (not listed above) leading to participation in a research project.

Definition. This category reflects the public presentation of research results, exhibits, or performances. The criteria require students to engage an audience beyond the UNCW campus community. Undergraduate research scholars are also expected to participate in on-campus opportunities to present their work.

Implementation. Activities in this category shall be reported by students online, and then must be approved by the faculty advisor and CSURF board.

Criteria: one or more items from the following list.

• Presentation of research results (oral presentation, paper, poster, exhibit) at a state, regional, national, or international scholarly conference. The student must be an active presenter in attendance, as well as a listed collaborator or co-author.
• Performance or exhibit of a creative work for an off-campus audience, in a forum with significant local or regional exposure.
• Preparation and submittal of a scholarly work (research article, monograph, project report) for publication in an outlet intended for an off-campus audience. The publication need not be peer-reviewed, but the student must be listed as the author or as a co-author.

Definition. This category reflects recognition of student achievements in the form of peer-reviewed publications, funding, and awards, or an additional presentation to a broader audience than covered in Category II. The criteria are meant to limit the field of distinguished scholars to those students whose efforts have been recognized by off-campus experts in the appropriate discipline.

Implementation. Activities in this category shall be reported by students online, and then must be approved by the faculty advisor and CSURF board.

Criteria: one or more items from the following list.

• Submittal of a publication to a professional journal or other peer-reviewed scholarly outlet. The student must be listed as an author on the paper. This category does not include online outlets such as blogs or wikis, publications in undergraduate research journals, or reviewed abstracts in conference proceedings.
• Successful application for a grant, scholarship, or fellowship in support of research or creative activity. The award must be from a source external to UNCW in the amount of $500 or more. The student must be listed as a primary investigator or recipient.
• Performance of a creative work or juried exhibit in an off-campus forum with significant national or international exposure. Note that this activity must be in addition to that required for Category II.
• Receipt of an award for outstanding research or creative activity granted by an organization external to UNCW.