Earning Academic Credit for Undergraduate Research

Many undergraduate research experiences may be completed for academic credit through research, directed studies or independent study courses offered by academic departments.

All COSAM students conducting undergraduate research for COSAM credit, including BIOL, CHEM, GEOG, GEOL, MATH, STAT, PHYS or SCMH credit, or conducting non-COSAM research that will be substituted for COSAM research credit, must complete an Undergraduate Research Approval Request Form.

The form must be submitted no later than the fifth class day of the semester in which the student will conduct the research and receive course credit.

Research Opportunities within COSAM

Students conducting research under the supervision of a COSAM faculty member should:

• Discuss the research experience with their faculty mentor, including responsibilities, expected time commitment and credit hours.
• Work with the faculty mentor to complete the Undergraduate Research Approval Request process. The faculty mentor will initiate the approval form through Adobe Acrobat Sign.
• After all required approvals have been obtained, the department administering the research course will add the approved credit hours to the student’s schedule.

Research Opportunities Outside COSAM

Students conducting research under the supervision of a faculty member outside COSAM should:

• Discuss the research experience with the faculty mentor, including responsibilities, expected time commitment and credit hours.
• Notify their academic advisor of the research opportunity.
• Complete the Undergraduate Research Approval Request Form. The form is provided through the student’s academic advisor and may be accessed through the Undergraduate Research Approval Request system: aub.ie/COSAM_UG_Research.
• Notify their academic advisor once the form has been completed and approved.
• Work with their academic advisor to obtain approval for the non-COSAM research experience to be substituted for COSAM research credit.
• Coordinate with the faculty mentor’s department to ensure approved course credits are added to the student’s schedule.

Students conducting research outside COSAM may be eligible to receive COSAM undergraduate research credit through SCMH 4980: Undergraduate Research in Science and Mathematics or an approved course substitution, depending on the nature of the research experience and departmental approval.