Large lecture classe s are broken down into small discussions and labs taught by research-conducting graduate students who will likely be the harbingers of the future. Because of sheer size, research institutions also have the advantage of offering specialized clubs, some of which are mentored by professors, where students can further their interests and knowledge. When undergraduates come together in these productions, they learn a lot from each other, and it s a rewarding experience for them, Peterson says. The Alternative Medicine Interest Group is an interdisciplinary group of undergraduate students interested in health care, both conventional and alternative. And the Human Powered Vehicles group experiments in designi ng efficient human-powered vehicles to compete in national collegiate competitions sponsored by the Association of Mechanical Engineering.
Undergraduate research is just one of several approaches to complement an undergraduate education.
A secondary-school student considering college has wonderful options, each with a unique pathway, each potentially producing different results. One current trend pushes home study on the Internet. The best answer could be that it is a matter of an individual s needs and preferences. Liberal arts colleges can offer an intimate learning environment with individualized attention. Instructors devote all of their time to teaching and to working closely with their students, but instructors seldom conduct research, nor do their students.