FAQ for Honors Undergraduate Research Program
What is the Honors Program?
The University Honors Program is designed to provide highly motivated and successful students with a broad and challenging learning experience through participation in a variety of curricular and co-curricular activities. Intellectual creativity and exploration are the hallmarks of the Honors Program. In particular, the Honors Program builds relationships between all colleges on campus and seeks to educate students in the connections between the disciplines, from Engineering to English, Agriculture to Art, or Business to Biology. Please see http://honors.calpoly.edu/ for more information on the Honors Program.
Honors Undergraduate Research Program Background
This is the third cycle of the Honors Undergraduate Research Program. For further details regarding the program and previously funded research projects, please visit the following sites:
Honors Research
Honors Research Showcase Spring 2007
Honors Research Showcase Winter 2008
We are also happy to announce that the first volume of the Honors Undergraduate Research Journal was published last spring. An online copy of the journal can be seen at: Honors Undergraduate Research Journal
How many projects will be supported?
The intention is to support approximately 20 projects.
What is the maximum funding allowed?
Maximum is $4,000 per project.
Who may apply?
All Cal Poly faculty are eligible to apply.
What types of projects will be funded?
Priority will be given to interdisciplinary projects as well as those that combine technology with community service.
What may funding be used for?
Funding may be used for salary support for faculty (release time, added compensation, or a combination of these); support for student assistants; supplies; services; and domestic travel.
Who will review the project proposals?
The Honors Research Project review committee will include the Dean of Research and Graduate Programs and the Deans of the participating colleges.
What review criteria will apply?
Proposals will be evaluated according to standard criteria, including scientific merit, feasibility, significance, and the qualifications of the project director (faculty) and collaborators. In addition, the level of Honors students' participation (minimum of two Honors students per project) and the interdisciplinary nature of the projects will be taken into account in assigning funding priority. Since faculty support will come from various colleges (or deans) criteria used for selection will vary.
When can projects begin?
Projects may be initiated as soon as a funding decision is made. This should occur by the first week in January, 2009.
When will the Honors students begin their research?
The Honors Program plans to finalize the "matchmaking" among the interested Honors students and the funded research projects during Fall quarter. There will be several "town hall" meetings near the end of Fall quarter to bring faculty and students together prior to the start of Winter quarter. The students will be asked to contact their research faculty member by the first week of classes in Winter 2009.
How will the student’s research progress be monitored?
In order to participate in the research program students will be required to enroll in HNRS/UNIV 321: Undergraduate Research Methods and Practice. Students who have engaged in previous research projects will be given the choice between HNRS /UNIV 321 or HNRS 200/400: Special Problems.
Faculty responsibilities
In addition to supervising the Honors student’s research, participating faculty will be invited to give presentations on their research projects during HNRS/UNIV 321 in Winter 2009. They will also be asked to participate in the assessment of the Honors Undergraduate Research Program by completing short surveys.
Additionally, faculty participants who receive funding from the Dean of Research and Graduate Programs will be asked to submit brief progress reports directly to Dean Susan Opava.
When must research funds be expended?
Research faculty are expected to use the research funding by the end of the 2008-2009 academic year (June 30, 2009).
How do faculty members access research funds?
The research funds will be transferred to the faculty member’s department in early winter quarter. Faculty members should contact the budget analyst in their department for further details on expending the funds.
What are the student reporting requirements?
Honors students will be asked to provide progress reports to Honors Program as part of their research requirements. All research students will be required to present their research results to other research students and faculty at various events.
How long is the commitment?
The exact length of each project will vary and is left up to the research faculty member’s discretion. However it has been our experience that most students continue their research projects for at least two quarters, and some continue for more than a year and ultimately publish their results or use it as the basis for their senior project.
Where can I get more information?
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Honors Program office at honors@calpoly.edu.
Proposal Submission Deadline
An electronic copy of the Honors Research Project Proposal Form must be submitted here by 5:00 PM on Monday, October 20, 2008.