ANN ARBOR—As one of the nation’s leading research universities and educational institutions, the University of Michigan assumes “a special responsibility for ensuring that its extensive effort in research, scholarship and creative activity adds value to the education of its undergraduate students,” said Frederick C. Neidhardt, U-M acting vice president for research.

In his report to the U-M Regents today (July 18), he described the ways in which the University can enhance “what it means to have a Michigan education by building on current efforts to involve undergraduate students in research.”

“Many programs inaugurated in the past decade, such as the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, have augmented longstanding opportunities for undergraduate research,” he said. “Today, there are many doorways leading to undergraduate involvement in research, scholarship and creative activity at the U-M, and many types of such experiences.”

Several programs on campus provide one-on-one relationships between faculty and undergraduate students, he said, in what might be viewed as a more “traditional” model of research experience. Independent study, a senior thesis, a design or performance project also offer the opportunity for the undergraduate to engage in open-ended inquiry.

“The University’s development of a ‘living-learning program’ strategy provides a second avenue for undergraduates to experience aspects of independent research and scholarship,” Neidhardt said. “And now some formal courses are being transformed in ways to incorporate experiences without pre-determined or correct outcomes.

“No single model of research experience is suitable for every student or for every discipline,” said Neidhardt. “The strength of our current approach is the development of a range of opportunities.”

He cited five features that characterize undergraduate involvement in research:

1. Social learning through participation in mutual learning communities;
2. Intellectual risk-taking and open-ended inquiry;
3. Interaction with faculty members who are intellectual leaders in a mutually transforming experience;
4. Mastery of different modes of inquiry and of learning;
5. The opportunity to pursue a research, scholarly or creative goal in whatever way is suited to the particular discipline or interdisciplinary area.

The U-M’s accomplishments in integrating research and undergraduate education have not gone unnoticed, Neidhardt said. He pointed out that, in February, the U-M was one of 10 research-intensive universities to receive a Recognition Award for the Integration of Research and Education from the National Science Foundation. This award specifically recognized for the success of two U-M programs: the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) and the Women in Science and Engineering-Residential Program (WISE-RP). UROP involves first- and second-year students in research as part of their undergraduate education. WISE-RP seeks to create a supportive academic environment outside the classroom in order to improve the retention of undergraduate women in science and engineering programs.

Neidhardt concluded that Michigan has in place “a foundation that provides a remarkable opportunity for the University. If we can systematize and expand our successful research opportunity programs and simultaneously find ways to infuse the regular curriculum with key elements of research—inquiry, discovery, creation, teaming, and mentoring—we will have significantly enhanced what it means to have a Michigan undergraduate education.”

More information:

• Regents
• Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program
• Women in Science and Engineering-Residential Program