Program Overview

Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP)

The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) provides high-achieving students with an engaging community, flexibility, and funding opportunities to explore their full range of interests. Students can join a community of hundreds of first and second-year student researchers and UROP alumni, including discipline-specific and transfer cohorts.

Program Overview

UROP offers students the opportunity to:

• Join a community of first and second-year student researchers and UROP alumni, including discipline-specific and transfer cohorts.
• Choose from diverse projects across fine arts, engineering, business, and social sciences, or explore research beyond their field.
• Join a research team to collect data, analyze, co-author, present at conferences, and make meaningful contributions.
• Gain practical research knowledge, a competitive asset for graduate applications and a valuable skillset for employers.

The UROP Experience

Students' participation in UROP consists of three interconnected components: the Colloquium, the Assistantship, and the Presentation. These components are designed to provide students with a comprehensive research experience.

Program Components

The UROP program includes:

• Conducting research 5-10 hours per week assisting a faculty member, postdoctoral scholar, graduate student, or community partner.
• Meeting twice a month with a UROP Student Leader and fellow UROP students; receiving personalized guidance about research and campus resources.
• Presenting at the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium.

UROP Colloquium

The UROP Colloquium is a key component of the program, providing students with the opportunity to learn about research methods and techniques.

UROP Assistantship

The UROP Assistantship allows students to work closely with a faculty member or research mentor, gaining hands-on research experience.

UROP Presentation

The UROP Presentation requirement provides students with the opportunity to showcase their research findings and develop their presentation skills.

Impact of UROP

The purpose and outcomes of UROP go beyond providing assistance to faculty or introducing students to research. By engaging students and faculty in the university's main missions - teaching and research - in a way that gives students one-on-one access to faculty and gives faculty access to the next generation of researchers, the entire university culture benefits.

Expected Outcomes

The Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement and the Division of Undergraduate Studies expect UROP to directly contribute to:

1. Retention, as outlined in the Michigan study.
2. Recruitment, by offering a student experience unique in the state of Florida.
3. Reputation, through presentations at conferences and peer perception of the program.
4. Rankings, by investing in undergraduate education and academic culture.