Guidelines for the University Scholars Program
Eligibility and Selection of Scholars for the 2009-2010 Academic Year
Undergraduate students from any college who wish to conduct research with a faculty member in the College of Public Health and Health Professions are eligible to compete for this award although preference is given to students in the college. Students should talk with a faculty member with whom they would like to conduct research and then complete the University Scholar's Program 2009-2010 Application. Applications are available on line at the University Scholars page (www.scholars.ufl.edu). The completed application must include the faculty mentor's signature. The student needs to submit a copy of the completed application to the dean's office for final selection by the College Committee. Nominations will be accepted until Monday, March 2, 2009 . In order to be considered, nomination packets need to be sent to Executive Associate Dean Stephanie Hanson and must include:
- Copy of student's completed application
- Copy of student's transcripts if from a college other than PHHP
- Typed summary of proposed research project
- Supporting letter from the faculty supervisor attached to student's application
We anticipate a total of 3 college awards will be given. Each award is a $2000 student stipend for the supervised research. The student stipend is disbursed in two payments ($1000 in May, 2009 and $1000 in Sept., 2009). The student must be registered during the summer term (Summer A or C) to receive the first part of the stipend and must be in good standing regarding the project to receive the second payment. Good standing is defined as adequate progress on the project determined by the faculty mentor based on progress reports provided by the student, a requirement noted in the next section, completion of all required documentation, and good academic standing.
Expectations during Scholarship Program
For the 2009-2010 competition, students are expected to conduct their research beginning in Summer, 2009 and then continuing their work during the 2009-2010 academic year (Fall and Spring). Students are required to sign up for research credits in the College of PHHP while working on their Scholars' project. Students will be registered for HSC 4905 Individual Study in Health Professions unless the project is also serving as the honors thesis, in which case the student will be registered for HSC 4970 Honors Thesis. Students will typically take 3 credit hours per term; 3 credits in the Summer and Fall are required. Spring credit is variable depending upon work remaining on the project. As part of the research project, scholars also are encouraged to consider enrolling in Advanced Professional Writing ENC 4260. Students are required to keep a written record of their research experience, which chronicles the development and progress of their research project. Students must submit a final typed report of the project to their mentor. Students also are required to submit a final report for consideration for publication in The Journal of Undergraduate Research.
Students, if selected, must be available to present their results at a
University-wide ceremony being held late Spring, 2010. They may also be
asked to present their results at a specific College symposium or College
Research Fair. Faculty mentors are expected to attend any College presentation
session and the University session if their mentee's work is selected. Students
will be selected for the University symposium based on an evaluation of
their effectiveness in presenting and understanding their overall research
project and goals achieved.
Selection Process
The College Financial Aid/Scholarship Committee will choose the three student
research projects from all applications submitted. Selections will be based
on academic and creative achievement, scholarly potential, and faculty recommendations
received. Students and faculty mentors will be notified of their selection
by March 23, 2009.
Presentation of Research Projects
Scholars may be expected to present their research results at a College
research symposium or the College Research Fair in Spring, 2010. Students
also may be selected to present at a University-wide symposium, held in
Spring. Specific times will be determined closer to the event. All students
are required to submit a final typed report of their project to their mentor
and to the editor of The Journal of Undergraduate Research.
