Frequently Asked Questions
How is undergraduate research supported at Truman?
- Truman State University Undergraduate Research Stipends
- Truman's STEP program
- Truman's Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
- Division of Science Student Travel Grants
- Division of Science Student Supplies Grants
- External Grants to Individual Faculty Members (e.g., NSF; NIH; PRF; USDA; etc.)
- Internal Grants to Individual Faculty Members
- Council for Undergraduate Research (CUR) Grants and Stipends for Students
- Student Grants-in-Aid from Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society
- Biology Alumni Research Stipends (BARS) for Truman Biology majors
Can Truman undergraduates conduct research at other universities?
Yes - many other colleges, universities, medical schools (including Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine here in town) museums, field stations, and national laboratories offer semester- or summer-long opportunities for undergraduates to participate in research. In many cases, you might be able to earn Truman academic credit for these experiences (please check with your advisor). To find out more about non-Truman programs for undergraduate research, see the bulletin boards in Barnett and Science Halls, attend seminars offered by all Science disciplines, and speak with your academic advisor and instructors.
How might you be compensated?
- Earn credit hours in your discipline's 441-442-443 series of courses
- Receive institutional pay, salary or a stipend from faculty, university, or other grants
- Use research hours to fulfill scholarship-renewal obligations
How much time will it take?
Although it is difficult to predict how much time a given research project might require, during the academic year the average student engaged in research works between 5 to 10 hours a week. Some research projects may require weekend or summer work; many summer projects represent full-time commitments for several weeks.
Where do students present their research findings?
- Truman's Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, held each Spring
- Missouri Academy Sciences, held each Spring at various Missouri universities
- National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR), also held each Spring
- Annual Regional and National Meetings of Student Societies
- Annual Regional and National Meetings of Disciplinary Societies
What about faculty involvement with undergraduate research?
The faculty at Truman State University are hired in part based upon their research experience and their desire to work with undergraduates in research. The student-mentor relationship is very rewarding. The collaboration between students and professors grows as the student is led through the research process by the mentor. In most cases, students develop critical thinking skills and gradually begin to learn how to work more independently.
"No student evaluation conveys the extent of learning and influence that results when a professor and student engage in shared research and writing. Both are enriched by the experience" - Dr. Paul Armah, former faculty member in Agricultural Science
"When you do research with a professor you spend a lot of time with them and get to see what they are like outside of the classroom and their other interests." - Tracey Dowey, Biology major, Class of '97
How many undergraduates participate in research?
- Biology
*about 125-150 biology majors each year are involved in undergraduate
research
*about 25% of the papers and posters at each year's Truman Undergraduate
Research Symposium are presented by biology majors
- Chemistry
*about 42 students on average are involved in research each year
*about 25 students do presentations each year
- Physics
*Students presented 33 times on campus, and 18 times off campus