WELCOME TO THE URC-SCIENCES!
Welcome to the Undergraduate Research Center!
The Undergraduate Research Center – Sciences serves students and faculty in all areas of life and physical sciences, engineering, and mathematics. Our primary mission is to promote, develop, and celebrate undergraduate student research with the overall goal of enhancing undergraduate education and preparing students, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, for academic and research careers.
Through experiencing the processes of scholarly discovery and dissemination of their results, students become fully engaged members of the community. Our mission is to support and increase the retention of science majors in all disciplines by enhancing the visibility, prestige, and material support for participation in undergraduate research and creative activities, both for students and faculty. Research takes different forms in different disciplines; however, in all disciplines, research involves creative activities and meaningful research produces results that are worthy of communication to others. Undergraduate research involves the close collaboration between a student and a faculty mentor as well as other members of their research group. We achieve our mission through various federal-, state- and donor-supported programs including those that aid students facing socioeconomic, academic, and other challenges.
Our hope is that you find what you need to support your interests in undergraduate research here on this site. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tama Hasson
Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Research
Director, Undergraduate Research Center – Sciences
MISSION STATEMENT
Our primary mission is to promote, develop, and celebrate undergraduate student research, with the overall goal of enhancing undergraduate education and preparing students for careers in all areas.
Through experiencing the processes of scholarly discovery and the dissemination of their results, students become fully engaged members of the research community.
OUR SERVICES
Getting into Research Workshops – We host these informational workshops several times each quarter to guide students through the process of finding a research mentor & project.
Undergraduate Research Programs – We administer several programs that offer professional, academic, and financial support for student researchers.
Research Scholarships, Fellowships, & Grants – Many of our funding opportunities are exclusive for undergraduate researchers with projects in the life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering.
Research Communication Workshops and Resources –Â We offer interactive workshops designed to help students effectively present and communicate their research to a variety of audiences.
Undergraduate Research Publications – We serve as advisors for the UCLA Undergraduate Science Journal (USJ), a peer-reviewed publication registered with the Library of Congress.
Undergraduate Research Week – We produce UCLA’s largest undergraduate research symposium. Over 800 students virtually presented their research and creative project in 2020 and many more are expected this year!