Our Mission and Goal

Our Mission

The mission of the undergraduate research program is to facilitate and increase the use of undergraduate research as a teaching and mentoring tool on the campus of St. Mary's University.

Our Goal

The goals of the undergraduate research program are to increase the number of students participating in undergraduate research or increasing the number of publications/presentations from research involving undergraduate students and to ensure content/skill mastery, disciplinary socialization, and identity goals of undergraduate researchers. Students involved in undergraduate research not only acquire mastery of content in a defined topic but also can acquire other crucial skills such as critical reading and writing, public speaking, and library use. Furthermore, introducing students to the processes involved in professional performance and discourse in academia is an essential goal of training undergraduates in research. Finally, assisting the student, especially culturally or economically disadvantaged students who may feel more isolated in an academic environment, to realize his/her potential as a positive contributor to a field or discipline by completing a research project is an important goal.1

1. Adapted from Bowman, M.H., and Stage, F.K. Personalizing the Goals of Undergraduate Research. Journal of College Science Teaching. 32(2):120-125