Posted on Feb. 24: Research and education: undergraduate students show off their work

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/USRA_1.jpg” caption=”USRA”]From climate change and precipitation to the environment of disasters to the pedagogy of peace studies to the ethics of neuroscience, more than 125 McMaster undergraduate students spent last summer looking at these and a variety of other issues.

The students — recipients of the Undergraduate Student Research Awards — had 15 weeks, the advice of a faculty advisor and $5,000 to delve deep into their research. Their results were on display Tuesday at a poster session in the Council Room, Gilmour Hall, Room 111.

Sponsored by the Office of the Vice-President (Research & International Affairs), the Faculties of Social Sciences, Humanities and Business, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the USRA awards are designed to help undergraduate students explore career opportunities in the research environment, investigate and learn more about an area of interest, enhance their academic experience and prepare for work at the graduate level.

Mamdouh Shoukri, vice-president (research and international affairs) explains that the NSERC – USRA program has been around for a number of years and McMaster's participation has always been strong. Last year, for instance, more than 100 students received awards. However, he says, there was a similar need for students in humanities, social sciences and business, but no program in place to support such research. Two years ago, he and the deans of those faculties got together to fund the McMaster USRA program in order to meet the growing need. The program was such a success in its first year, that by year two they doubled the number of available awards, giving 20 students in these three faculties an opportunity and the necessary funds to conduct their own research projects.

Shoukri believes integrating research and education is a characteristic of a world-class university and engaging students at the undergraduate level in research is an essential part of creating an innovative and stimulating learning environment. “These awards allow our undergraduate students to pursue research that is relevant to their own field of study. They are the perfect example of the McMaster experience — bringing research and education together.”

Photo caption: From left, Terri Lewis, psychology professor and supervisor and Iram Ahmed, third-year biology and psychology student, discuss Ahmed's research at a poster session with Robert Roy, manager of outreach communications with NSERC.

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[img_inline align="right" src="http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/USRA_1.jpg" caption="USRA"]From climate change and precipitation to the environment of disasters to the pedagogy of peace studies to the ethics of neuroscience, more than 125 McMaster undergraduate students spent last summer looking at these and a variety of other issues.<p><br />
<br />
The students -- recipients of the Undergraduate Student Research Awards  -- had 15 weeks, the advice of a faculty advisor and $5,000 to delve deep into their research.  Their results were on display Tuesday at a poster session in the Council Room, Gilmour Hall, Room 111.<p><br />
<br />
Sponsored by the Office of the Vice-President (Research & International Affairs), the Faculties of Social Sciences, Humanities and Business, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the USRA awards are designed to help undergraduate students explore career opportunities in the research environment, investigate and learn more about an area of interest, enhance their academic experience and prepare for work at the graduate level. <p><br />
<br />
Mamdouh Shoukri, vice-president (research and international affairs) explains that the NSERC - USRA program has been around for a number of years and McMaster&#039;s participation has always been strong.  Last year, for instance, more than 100 students received awards.  However, he says, there was a similar need for students in humanities, social sciences and business, but no program in place to support such research.  Two years ago, he and the deans of those faculties got together to fund the McMaster USRA program in order to meet the growing need.  The program was such a success in its first year, that by year two they doubled the number of available awards, giving 20 students in these three faculties an opportunity and the necessary funds to conduct their own research projects.<p><br />
<br />
Shoukri believes integrating research and education is a characteristic of a world-class university and engaging students at the undergraduate level in research is an essential part of creating an innovative and stimulating learning environment.  "These awards allow our undergraduate students to pursue research that is relevant to their own field of study.  They are the perfect example of the McMaster experience -- bringing research and education together." <p><br />
<br />
<i>Photo caption: From left, Terri Lewis, psychology professor and supervisor and Iram Ahmed, third-year biology and psychology student, discuss Ahmed&#039;s research at a poster session with Robert Roy, manager of outreach communications with NSERC.</i>

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