URC 2008 Faculty Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is URC?
- Why should faculty encourage students to present at the Undergraduate Research Conference?
- Who "sponsors" URC?
- Who attends the URC?
- I have 12 students presenting one team project. How do I register them for URC?
- I have a freshman student who has been an integral member of my lab this year. Can he present at URC even though he’s a freshman?
- I’m not sure for which event my student should register.
- My student would like to present at the COLSA URC event AND the Parents Association Undergraduate Research Symposium event. Is this allowed?
- How can I find out where my student is presenting?
- I have a student presenting at URC. How can I encourage my colleagues and other students to attend her presentation?
- Can my chemistry student participate at the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Symposium (ISE) even though the project wasn’t interdisciplinary?
- Can my graduate student present at the URC?
- Where can my students get help with a poster or PowerPoint presentation?
- Why should I encourage my students to present at URC?
- How do I know I entered all my students’ information correctly?
- I need to change my student’s final presentation title—how do I do this?
1. What is URC?
The annual UNH Undergraduate Research Conference casts a spotlight on the research and scholarship of undergraduates from all of UNH’s schools and colleges, and features symposia, events, performances, and awards. The conference gives students a venue for the important final step in any research, creative, or scholarly project, presenting the results to a broad audience. With twenty-four events and hundreds of presenters, this UNH conference, now in its ninth year, is one of the largest and most diverse of its kind, showcasing student work from disciplines across the academic spectrum, from history and music, to engineering, microbiology, and beyond.
FOR AN OVERVIEW AND A PEEK AT THE URC EXCITEMENT, VIEW THE 3-MINUTE URC VIDEO.
2. Why should faculty encourage students to present at the Undergraduate Research Conference?
Presenting at the Undergraduate Research Conference encourages students to put the finishing touch on their research, creative, service learning, or capstone project. They will prepare their findings and present them before a wide audience of faculty, administrators, friends, and family. In the process, students gain valuable professional skills for career placement or continued education. What’s more, they will have the chance to receive awards and scholarships. Last year, more than $24,000 was awarded in scholarships for outstanding URC presentations (click to view winners).
Note: Students presenting at the 2007 URC were surveyed last spring. Ninety-one percent of URC participants say that faculty mentoring (see a list of over 170 faculty mentors from the 2007 URC) positively influenced their educational experience. For more detailed results of what students have said about their URC participation and their faculty mentors, please read the URC Evaluation white paper (coming soon).
3. Who "sponsors" URC?
Although the URC does not have one specific sponsor, the Office of the Associate Vice President for Research and Outreach Scholarship serves as the administrative office for the URC. In truth, the URC is a campus wide collaborative network of UNH Community members who bring the conference to fruition each year. Click on the top blue tab for URC Community to view the numerous individuals and organizations making active contributions to the URC.
4. Who attends the URC?
Faculty, students, parents and other family, friends, the general UNH community, alumni, the general public, and visitors from local and regional business communities and government offices.
5. I have 12 students presenting one team project. How do I register them for URC?
You can register more than one name (or "author") per presentation. The registration database can accommodate multiple authors (up to fifty), however you will need to provide specific information about each author – i.e. name, email address, status, major, presentation title, and faculty advisor. Follow the step by step registration process on the faculty registration form.
6. I have a freshman student who has been an integral member of my lab this year. Can he present at URC even though he's a freshman?
Yes. Any UNH undergraduate student may present at URC.
7. I'm not sure for which event my student should register.
Read the event descriptions to find the event(s) most suitable for your student or call the URC info line for help – 862-2488.
8. My student would like to present at the COLSA URC event AND the Parents Association Undergraduate Research Symposium event. Is this allowed?
Yes. Students may present at as many events as they like throughout the conference, per specific event parameters. Students who are interested in presenting at more than one venue are strongly encouraged to consider presenting at the Parents Association Undergraduate Research Symposium and/or the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Symposium (ISE). Please note: Only COLSA students may register for and present at the COLSA URC.
For information on other events, read the event descriptions on the URC web site.
9. How can I find out where my student is presenting?
After April 11, 2008, go to the URC Web site Home Page under "URC News" and click on 2008 Program Booklet. Students will be listed alphabetically within each event (chronological by date) with locations and room assignments noted.
10. I have a student presenting at URC. How can I encourage my colleagues and other students to attend her presentation?
Use the URC Email Invitation (on the "Find it Fast" menu on the right side of the URC web site) to invite colleagues and students. Encourage your student to use the electronic invitation to invite family and friends!
11. Can my chemistry student participate at the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Symposium (ISE) even though the project wasn't interdisciplinary?
Yes. The ISE Symposium showcases undergraduate research from many different disciplines.
12. Can my graduate student present at the URC?
Graduate students can be part of the research team, but the actual presentation needs to be done by an undergraduate student. If you are a graduate student wishing to present, please check out the UNH Graduate Research Conference (GRC) which will be held Thursday, April 17, 2008 at the Memorial Union Building (MUB). (The GRC web site is under construction; for immediate information, contact jessieknapp@gmail.com).
13. Where can my students get help with a poster or PowerPoint presentation?
There are several ways to get help with your presentation.
- Students can be directed to Posters on the URC "Find It Fast" menu for several guides on making posters, a gallery of posters to view and a list of printing resources. COMING SOON – the full edition of a comprehensive ONLINE TUTORIAL (new last year) on How to Create a POSTER with PowerPoint.
- For oral Presentations, students can consult the "Find It Fast" menu to review Oral Presentation Tips.
14. Why should I encourage my students to present at URC?
Students presenting at the 2007 URC were surveyed last spring. Ninety-one percent of URC participants say that faculty mentoring positively influenced their educational experience. For more detailed results of what students have said about their URC participation and their faculty mentors, please read the URC Evaluation white paper (coming soon).
15. How do I know I entered all my students' information correctly?
You will receive a confirmation email after you complete the registration. Please carefully review all the information you entered for accuracy, as it will be used in all communications and the printed URC Program Booklet.
16. I need to change my student's final presentation title—how do I do this?
You cannot edit the information you input for URC registration. You need to communicate any changes to the Program Coordinator, by emailing (preferred) Lynne Cooper at lynne.cooper@unh.edu or calling 862-2488.
