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Making the Most of Your Research
Stanford offers many vehicles for conducting research, as well as for displaying the findings. Here are a few possible avenues to enhance the experience of doing research.
Summer Research College
Summer Research College (SRC) is an eight- or ten-week residential program managed by the Undergraduate Advising and Research office. It is designed for students participating in departmental research programs and other faculty-supervised research projects over the summer. SRC aims to foster close intellectual and social contact among students and faculty in an interdisciplinary residential community.
During the day, students work with faculty advisors and research groups in Stanford research facilities across campus. Evenings and on weekends, they enjoy opportunities to share research discussions, dinners with faculty guests, social and cultural activities and other informal gatherings with fellow researchers.
Honors Programs
Honors programs are organized by departments and programs. They allow students to engage in advanced, independent research, analysis and articulation with faculty guidance, usually in the senior year. Engaging in original research on a topic of a student’s own devising is one of the most exciting experiences of a college education. Working closely with a faculty advisor allows the teacher-student dynamic to become far more collegial. In the most satisfying experiences, students can make genuine contributions to knowledge, challenging the way scholars in the field think about the topic.
Symposium of Undergraduate Research and Public Service (SURPS)
The Symposium of Undergraduate Research and Public Service (SURPS) is an annual forum where undergraduates present their research, creative projects and public service to the Stanford community. Students from all disciplines present their current and recent academic projects, showcasing the diversity of topics, approaches and interests at Stanford.
Presenting academic, creative and public service work in a formal setting is a mark of true accomplishment in a student’s undergraduate studies. It is also outstanding preparation for graduate school applications and other future presentations. Students also gain valuable experience articulating ideas about their projects through poster or other visual display presentations involving both verbal and graphic forms of explanation.
SURPS attracts students from all years, as well as faculty, because it is held during homecoming weekend. SURPS also attracts alumni interested in work done by current students. The event is an excellent forum for networking.
Academic Credit for Research
Some students will arrange to receive academic credit for their work on a research project. Generally, the details of this arrangement are left up to the student, faculty mentor, and deparment in question.
Students should also consult with their academic advisor to consider how research units fit into their overall academic plan.
Writing, Presenting and Publishing Research Results
Research is not quite complete until it is shared with the broader scholarly, scientific or creative communities. That involves writing, visual displays, oral presentations, as well as journals, websites and other venues for sharing your work. Stanford offers editorial support for writing articles and honors theses, consultation on producing posters and other visual displays and connections to publications that publish undergraduate research.