Discovery Research Scholars
The University of South Florida believes it is important that students understand the complex activity called "research" and wishes to stimulate students' interest in becoming active participants in the research process. We are therefore most pleased to offer a unique program for a select few first year USF Honors College students. Students identified as UR USF Undergraduate Research Scholars will enroll in "Discovery: People, Processes and Problems" during their first semester at USF. Discovery is a very special course taught by some of USF's most distinguished researcher/teachers. During and following the Discovery semester, Discovery Research Scholars will be assisted in identifying potential undergraduate research opportunities that will allow them to work with a Faculty Mentor on his/her research projects in future semesters.
Discovery begins by broadly defining research as the systematic investigation of a phenomenon or problem. Then, faculty from the natural, social and health sciences, from engineering, business, education, humanities, the fine arts and other fields will tell their stories, how they became interested in doing research and offer examples of problems and questions they have examined. Students will interact closely with these Professors during the semester. .
In the semesters following the Discovery course, Discovery Research Scholars will have the opportunity to work with USF's senior researchers as these Faculty Mentors investigate issues that excite them. Scholarship support is available to Discovery Research Scholars while they are active in the program. Each scholar must complete a Research Update Form by the end of the second week of classes to be assured a scholarship for that term. In addition, eligibility rests on each scholar maintaining a 3.2 USF GPA and being enrolled full time. Exceptions may be made for summer research.
Interested high school seniors may obtain further information by contacting the Office of Undergraduate Research at (813) 974-7994 or by email at ur@ur.usf.edu.
