Intercollege 590:
The Student Research Experience (INCO 590)
We encourage all undergraduates in good academic standing to consider INCO 590: Student Research Experience, a course that offers hands-on experience.
INCO 590 is a variable credit course in which undergraduates assist faculty mentors with teaching and research activities. Designed for students interested in gaining research experience, this course acts as a bridge between the classroom and the world of independent research.
Through INCO 590, a faculty mentor receives valuable assistance from an energetic student. In return, the mentor shares the nature of research within his or her field of expertise. Students emerge from the course with more clearly defined academic goals and the skills necessary to pursue an independent study or research project.
You may be wondering...
- What's in it for me?
- What are the requirements?
- What will I do?
- How do I begin?
- How many credits can I earn?
- Is there financial support?
- What happens when the course is complete?
What's in it for me?
INCO 590 is an opportunity to step outside the classroom and get a fresh perspective on your education. You learn about the theories, tools, resources, ethical issues, and professional expectations that guide a scholar's research and teaching activities. In the process, you gain a deeper appreciation of your own coursework, define your academic interests and goals, and sharpen the skills needed to design and carry out independent research, an honors thesis, or a senior project.
Back to topWhat are the requirements?
INCO 590 is designed as an entry-level experience, particularly suitable to lower-division students or those with little or no previous exposure to research. However, ALL matriculating UNH undergraduates in good academic standing are eligible to enroll. You must have full-time status (12 credits exclusive of INCO 590) during the semester that you are enrolled in this course.
Back to topWhat will I do?
The objective of INCO 590 is to provide you with the opportunity to engage in research activities that act as learning experiences for you and support for your faculty mentor's research and teaching responsibilities. The exact nature of your work depends on your mentor's field of study and his or her particular area of interest. The following is a list (by no means exhaustive) of what you might expect to participate in.
For students in the liberal arts, business, economics, and social sciences:
Since all scholars review journal articles related to their research or teaching, your faculty mentor may ask you to go to the library to research recent journal articles on a particular subject, photocopy them, and then read and summarize them. (They may also ask you to comment on which articles would be appropriate for an introductory-level course.)
You may also engage in data collection, entry, and analysis or work with study groups by conducting interviews, administering or processing surveys, and recruiting subjects. You may design or update web sites, provide foreign language translation, transcribe audiotapes, help organize a conference, edit a journal, work in a darkroom, catalogue slides or specimens, or organize and label slide collections.
For students of mathematics or the physical and biological sciences sciences:
Many activities suitable for students of business, the liberal arts, economics, or social science may also applicable for those in your field. (See above.) Other activities may include the repetition of experiments to confirm results or correct problems, laboratory maintenance, building or repairing equipment, applying software applications to research problems, performing biochemical assays, preparing samples for histochemical or molecular analysis, validating or optimizing a procedure, maintaining a culture in vitro, or collecting and analyzing samples.
Back to top
How do I begin?
Start by identifying a professor whose teaching style or research interests particularly intrigue you. Fill out an INCO 590 Student Résumé (pdf) for this professor's review, and then meet to discuss how you could be of assistance in his or her work, or how you might pursue research on a related topic.
If the professor is willing to become your faculty mentor, you can register for the course. The first step is to fill out a Student Faculty Contract (pdf) sign it, have it signed by your faculty mentor and the mentor's department chair, and submit it to the director of undergraduate research in the Center for Undergraduate Research office (Hood House 209). If you are registering during the add-drop period, you must have a Change of Registration form (available at the office) signed by the director before registering.
Back to topHow many credits can I earn?
INCO 590 is a variable credit course that you may repeat. You may apply up to eight INCO SRE credits toward graduation. You receive one credit for 42 hours of research work (three hrs/wk), or two credits for 84 hours (six hrs/wk).
In special circumstances, you may receive three credits (9 hrs/wk) or four credits (12 hrs/wk). Please discuss other academic responsibilities with your faculty mentor to determine whether a three or four-credit commitment is manageable.
Back to topIs there financial support?
Students enrolled in INCO 590 are eligible for up to $200 in funding to underwrite research expenses such as photocopying, supplies, and travel. For more information, contact the Center for Undergraduate Research office at 862-4323.
Back to topWhat happens at the end of the semester?
Once the semester is complete, your faculty mentor will complete the Final Grade Roster. The course is "Credit/Fail." If you satisfactorily complete the course, you receive a grade of "Credit." No letter grades will be assigned. You and your mentor will be sent a brief evaluation form to complete and submit to the Hamel Center. Your transcript will include a disciplinary designation, such as:
INCO 590: Student Research Experience (English*) 2 credits Cr
*The disciplinary designation is determined by your faculty mentor's departmental affiliation.
If you do not fulfill the expectations of your Student-Faculty Contract (pdf), either in commitment of hours or in completion of satisfactory work, two options may be followed:
- You may petition the Academic Standards and Advising Committee to receive a reduced number of credits (if you registered originally for two or more credits).
- Your mentor may assign a grade of Incomplete and permit you to complete the research the following semester.