10  Undergraduate students

10.0.1 Practicum/Project students

You have either 4 or 8 months to complete your practicum/project requirements. While the specific expectations may vary by course code, you will contribute to a research project and produce a well-written final report (or equivalent deliverable). Placement courses are designed to provide structured exposure to the research environment, including opportunities to develop technical and analytical skills, engage with scholarly inquiry, and gain insight into the norms and expectations of academic research.

At the first lab meeting in the Fall semester, you will learn about the different projects in the lab. Following this meeting, you will be asked to submit a ranked list of your top 3 project choices based on your interests and goals. Practicum students work under the supervision of myself and/or a designated senior lab member.

You are expected to:

  1. attend all scheduled lab and pod meetings
  2. demonstrate professionalism, including courtesy, respect for others, reliability, and responsiveness to feedback
  3. follow all lab policies and protocols, including those related to safety, data management, and confidentiality
  4. engage actively in your research tasks, contribute to group discussions, ask questions when unsure, and seek clarification or support when needed
  5. maintain a research notebook (physical or digital) to document procedures, progress, and reflections throughout the term

You are not expected to:

  1. design independent research projects
  2. master aspects of the research process without support or guidance
  3. lead data analysis or interpretation independently
  4. commit to hours beyond those required by your course
  5. take on responsibilities beyond your level of training

The practicum/project experience is intended to be mutually beneficial. While the lab benefits from your contributions to ongoing research, the primary objective is to support your learning and professional development. You are strongly encouraged to approach this opportunity with curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to engage fully in the research process. This experience will help you determine whether further research opportunities, such as an undergraduate thesis, are a good fit for your academic and professional goals.

10.0.2 Thesis students

You have 8 months to complete your thesis course requirements. While specific expectations may vary by course code (e.g., time commitment, proposal, presentations, etc.), you will contribute to a research project and produce a well-written final thesis document. Thesis courses are designed to provide an immersive and structured research experience. They offer opportunities to refine your technical, analytical, and scholarly communication skills, while also developing your ability to think critically and work independently within an academic research environment.

At the first lab meeting in the Fall semester, you will learn about the different projects in the lab. Following this meeting, you will be asked to submit a ranked list of your top 3 project choices based on your interests and goals. Thesis students work under the supervision of myself and/or a designated senior lab member, with the expectation that you engage with the research process at a higher level of independence, critical thinking, and involvement than is expected of practicum/project students.

You are expected to:

  1. attend all scheduled lab and pod meetings, and actively engage in these discussions
  2. demonstrate professionalism, including courtesy, respect for others, reliability, and responsiveness to feedback
  3. follow all lab policies and protocols, including those related to safety, data management, and confidentiality
  4. take ownership of your assigned research tasks, meet agreed-upon deadlines/milestones, and manage your time effectively
  5. ask questions when unsure and seek clarification or support from myself or a senior lab member when needed
  6. perform your data analysis and interpretation of results with consultation from myself and/or your designated senior lab member
  7. maintain a detailed research notebook (physical or digital) that documents procedures, progress, decisions, and reflections throughout the project
  8. participate in at least one formal research presentation (this may be part of your course requirements; if not, you will present your work to the lab)

You are not expected to:

  1. design independent research projects
  2. master aspects of the research process without support or guidance
  3. commit to hours beyond those required by your course
  4. take on responsibilities beyond your level of training

The thesis experience is intended to support your intellectual growth, research competency, and academic confidence. While the lab benefits from your contributions, the primary goal is to help you build the skills necessary for more advanced research or graduate-level work. You are encouraged to take initiative, ask questions, and engage deeply with your project. This is your opportunity to explore a topic in depth and contribute meaningfully to the scholarly community.