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  3. Engaged Learning Division

Undergraduate Research

Engaged Learning Division

The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) defines undergraduate research as “an inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate that makes an intellectual or creative contribution to a discipline or disciplines.” Undergraduate Research (UR) is not restricted to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields, but embraces the arts and humanities.

Undergraduate research is beneficial across disciplines and faculty members working with undergraduates on research find the work productively challenging and intellectually invigorating. Undergraduate research is a “high impact practice” that more fully engages students in their own education.

Some of the benefits of Undergraduate Research to the student include:

  • Leadership capabilities
  • Active engagement
  • Experiences in independence and collaboration
  • The ability to handle uncertainty
  • A deeper understanding of the relevance of coursework
  • An appreciation for the value of the disciplinary literature
  • Critical thinking, inquiry, and analysis skills
  • Self-confidence in presenting one’s ideas to the community
  • Understanding how scholars do their work
  • Preparation for future academic pursuits, including graduate study
  • Mentorship and internship opportunities
  • Tolerance for obstacles

Multiple foundational courses exist at TCC to help a student begin a career of satisfying scholarship and research.