If there is a specific topic of interest to you, you may discuss it with the appropriate faculty member, or you may simply ask one of your instructors for suggestions for a research topic. Selecting a mentor is the first and most important step in undertaking an undergraduate research project. To identify a potential faculty mentor, we suggest that you first scan the web pages of individual faculty members , and select those whose areas of research are of interest to you. You may then contact individual faculty by phone or e-mail and schedule an appointment to discuss the possibility of conducting undergraduate research under their supervision.
Most professors are happy to discuss research projects.
However, not all faculty have the time or resources to mentor a student research project. We suggest that you identify several possible mentors and arrange to meet with each of them. You should begin the process of choosing a mentor about one semester before you plan to begin your research project. Completion of this program includes writing an honors thesis describing the results of your research. To participate in this program, the student chooses a research topic in consultation with a chosen faculty sponser prior to his or her senior year, and conducts the research during the last two semesters in residence.