Howard Hughes Undergraduate Research Program
Summary
High achieving college Sophomores apply to take part in a rigorous, research based program to increase scientific knowledge and self-confidence. The program provides opportunities for graduate level research discussion and presentation.
Target Population
Goal(s)
Program Highlights
- Each student is paired with a faculty mentor who will help guide the student’s research project.
- Students participate in a weekly journal club to discuss selected articles’ ideas and methodologies.
- The program provides guest speakers, career guidance, and academic scholarship funds.
The Facts
Partners
Higher Education
- UCLA
Business
Non-Profit / Philanthropy
- The Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Government
Evidence of Impact
Level 2 - Increased in students’ scientific self-confidence, presentation skills, and literature comprehension. The group of like-minded peers made science fun to learn and discuss.
An intensive primary-literature-based teaching program directly benefits undergraduate science majors and facilitates their transition to doctoral programs: Reviewed annual student evaluations, mentor interviews, and an alumni survey. The program has been rigorously evaluated over multiple years, and demonstrates statistically stable outcomes. However, there is no control group, and the research might have a positive skew based on item structure.
Howard Hughes Undergraduate Research Program 2008 Annual Progress Report: Provides in-depth program description, and positive quotations from student interviews.
Contact Information
Howard Hughes Undergraduate Research Program, Administered by URC/CARE
2121 Life Sciences Building, 621 Charles E. Young Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606
(310) 794-4227
http://www.ugeducation.ucla.edu/urc-care/hhurp.htm
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