Faculty
WHO? All full-time undergraduate students at APU are eligible for Undergraduate
Research funding if they wish to attend a local or national academic conference.
Priority is given to students presenting papers or posters of their research
at a conference.
WHAT? In addition to funding students attending and presenting at conferences, Undergraduate Research also funds travel expenses for special research needs such as access to certain research archive collections. Resources may also be provided for creative presentation such as the humanitarian-themed art exhibit “Creating Beautiful: A Look into Beauty that Defies the Norm,” displayed in the APU Art Gallery March 2-7, 2003.
WHERE? WHEN? Funds are allocated from the provost's annual budget of $15,000 based upon review of applications. Because of the high demand for these funds, there is no guarantee that all applicants will receive funds, or that all recipients will be fully funded. For more information, contact the director of undergraduate research, Kevin S. Huang, Ph.D., at shuang@apu.edu, (626) 815-6000, Ext. 3353.
HOW? Undergraduate research projects often begin when a professor recognizes a student’s intellectual curiosity or latent talents as a researcher—even if the student’s GPA does not reflect high academic achievement. Professors may invite these students to help in a lab, co-present a paper, or work on an individualized research project during the school year or summer.
To participate in the program, the student must complete an application form and ask a faculty sponsor to complete a recommendation form.* The student then meets with the director of Undergraduate Research, for a 15- 30-minute interview to discuss the project; academic, postgraduate, and professional goals; and additional undergraduate research opportunities such as internships, essay competitions, and other scholarly conferences.
WHY? The Undergraduate Research program allows students to explore fields beyond the scope of most classroom curricula. Through the program, participants often discover their professional calling or realize the value of advanced degrees. Many students count this program as the most valuable of their undergraduate experiences:
“I met journalists from all over the world and have since received job offers from news organizations in Texas, Maryland, Canada, and the United Kingdom from editors whom I met at the conference.”
“The best part of this dental workshop was the interaction we had with current dental students open to answer our questions.”
“One of the greatest highlights of my trip to the American Academy of Religion conference was dining and talking with my APU professors there.”
“Presenting at a workshop was both challenging and rewarding!”
“The panelists at the National Association of Broadcasters conference allowed me to apply what we were doing in the classroom to the real world.”
“Attending the Western Institute of Nursing Conference was an inspiring exposure to the world of nursing science, and an experience that has definitely influenced me to further my education and work as a nurse researcher.”
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