Documentation:CTLT Resources/Undergraduate Research UBC Research Programs
UBC Research Programs
University-wide
- Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Program
Students who participate in this program will have the opportunity to develop skills to support their research project within their discipline while fulfilling requirements in a research-based course they are enrolled in. Student participants must have a faculty supervisor and have identified a specific research project by the beginning of the project. Critical thinking skills, communication skills, and library research skills are concentrated on in this program.
Program Coordinator: info.murp@ubc.ca
- UBC Undergraduate Research Opportunities and Directory (ROAD)
Are you an undergraduate looking for research experience? Look no further! This site contains a research directory of faculty across disciplines who can support undergraduate research.
Applied Science
- Student Teams-Mechanical Teams
Participation in student project teams is a popular activity among Mechanical Engineering students. The teams enter national and international competitions with varied engineering and environmental objectives. For example, the “Heavy-Lift” team enters a competition to design and build a model airplane that can lift the greatest weight. The department has a strong tradition of participation and success in these competitions. Team members have a lot of fun working together, and at the same time gain much valuable practical experience.
Contact: Barbara Murray, (604) 822-4163
The Project Fair is an annual event that is an integral part of the Project Laboratory. The Project Fair is the showplace for small scale or emerging technological projects involving the Engineering Physics Program at UBC and industry in the Province of B.C. The Project Fair provides a forum for the interchange of ideas and for the reinforcement of technological networks between students and faculty at UBC, local industry, and government support agencies. The major objectives of the Project Fair are to increase the awareness of the high technology skills in B.C. and to encourage the use and development of those skills in new ventures. This can be best achieved by bringing together the participants so that they can review current developments and renew their interest in entrepreneurial activities.
The Project Laboratory is a pivotal activity in the students’ senior years in the Engineering Physics Program. It consists of two, one-term academic courses that sandwich the summer break. Different projects are normally done in each term although in some circumstances it is possible to have a summer job placement that carries one project through a full year. This sequence allows longer projects to be planned that would be of interest to industry. In addition, projects can continue over several years where a new group of students would build on the results of previous work.
Arts
- Family, Child and Community Research Mentoring Project
This initiative links undergraduate students with faculty research projects. Undergraduate majors are encouraged to become involved in research activities through the Research Mentoring Program. In 2002-2003 26 students contributed 280 hours to 17 research projects directed by 9 professors. The program grew in 2003-2004 to include 44 students working with 14 professors on 22 different projects. This program continues to attract significant interest from Family Studies majors and more Social Work students are expressing interest as well.
Contact: Sheila Marshall
The FNLG program was initiated in 1996 as part of UBC’s commitment to community-based collaboration with First Nations peoples, in recognition of the vital importance of First Nations Languages and culture. The program actively engages a number of undergraduate students in research projects related to the documentation and analysis of endangered First Nations languages.
Contact: Patricia A. Shaw
The Museum of Anthropology forms a unique part of the anthropological experience at UBC. The collections, exhibitions and collaborative programs sponsored by the Museum provide archaeology and socio-cultural anthropology students with opportunities to participate in ongoing research and educational projects.
Forestry
Volunteers, usually in 3rd or 4th year programs regarding forestry and natural resources, spend at least two months at a Research Forest to gather experience with performing forestry practices, as well as participate in data collection for research. Both the UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest (MKRF) and the UBC Alex Fraser Research Forest (AFRF) offer this opportunity for volunteering interns. Historically, we have hosted international students who want to get practical experience. Occasionally, Canadians volunteer as well. So while the title of the program contains the word “International,” it is not necessarily restricted to non-Canadians. If undergrads find they need more experience to get work and are willing to volunteer, they can certainly be eligible. While the work tends to include practical forestry and forest management tasks, there usually is a component dealing with research data collection and data management, as well as maintenance of research sites in the field. We can also assist with student self-directed research.
The NRVP, formally the Conservation Volunteers Program, provides the tools for UBC students to participate in environmental science, conservation, and/or community-based volunteer activities. We aim to help aspiring environmental science professionals gain valuable work experience using their practical skills in addition to that obtained in classroom and field exercises while helping and contributing in the community. The NRVP promotes linkages between the environment, communities, and education, and strengthens these linkages by connecting student volunteers with environmental organizations and community projects.
Medicine
The purpose of the Research Mentorship program is to provide an opportunity for UBC Medical Students to explore a career in health research and to encourage them to seek out research possibilities to complement their medical careers.
The Translational Research in Infectious Disease program at UBC is in partnership with the CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity. This program was designed to promote and strengthen the national capacity for translational research in infectious diseases through an integrative Training Program and to raise national standards in the training of health researchers and cultivate and facilitate transdisciplinary and translational research in infectious diseases.
Pharmaceutical Sciences
This program, coordinated by Ingrid Price, provides opportunities for undergraduate students in Pharmaceutical Sciences at UBC to participate in research being conducted within the Faculty over the summer. You will be working in a research environment within the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. There are several different kinds of research going on in our Faculty, from bench science (e.g., developing new and better ways to deliver drugs to the site of action) to clinical (e.g., developing more effective therapeutic options for patients) to practice (e.g., solving issues related to patient care). Individuals within our Faculty submit applications to take summer students. In order to learn more about the types of research you could become involved in and what you will be doing when working with a particular professor go to Faculty Submissions Page.