Undergraduate Research Scholar Transcript Designation

The Undergraduate Research Scholar Transcript Designation is given to more fully recognize the accomplishments of USU’s undergraduate researchers.

To qualify for the Undergraduate Research Scholar the student must meet the following
requirements:

• Completion of a minimum of two semesters of research, scholarship, or creative activity supervised by a faculty mentor. Quantifying a number of hours per week spent on the project is helpful; students can keep a log of their time. A specific quantity is not required since the work may take place over a minimum of two semesters or go at a different pace over an extended number of semesters.
• Dissemination of research through a recognized venue such as the on-campus Student Showcase, Undergraduate Research Day at the State Capitol, Utah Conference on Undergraduate Research, National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Council on Undergraduate Research’s Posters on the Hills, or a professional conference in the field of study. Alternate venues for creative activity may include art exhibitions or performances.
• The endorsement of the faculty mentor(s).

Additional activities that may be considered in the plan for achieving the transcript
designation include the following:

1. A substantial written product from the research, scholarship, or creative activity.
This could be a senior thesis, journal article, Honors thesis.
2. Enrollment in and completion of research credits. (For departments that do not have a research course, the university course—USU 4900 Undergraduate Research—may be used.)
3. Completion of a course in Research Ethics, USU 6900 (offered annually in spring semester).
4. Certification for research activities such as Institutional Review Board (IRB) training in human subjects research or training in animal research.
5. Development of a research portfolio (electronic or non-electronic).

Confirmation of the completion of the plan should be submitted by the Student Researcher and Faculty Mentor no later than two weeks before graduation in order for the Transcript to be so marked. (The faculty mentor can send confirmation of the application via e-mail.)

Application for the transcript designation should be submitted to the Office of the Vice President for Research, Attn: Transcript Designation. (Electronic submission is encouraged; please send to Dr. Kinkead at joyce.kinkead@usu.edu.)

The application can be downloaded here.

Back to top