Undergraduate Research

Since our founding in 1995, the School of Integrative Studies (formerly New Century College) has demonstrated a strong commitment to undergraduate research. Students are encouraged to view every opportunity as a chance to learn and gather important data that may help craft new approaches to our society's most challenging problems.

SIS faculty are active in Mason’s Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, serving as faculty mentors guiding students through the process of submitting proposals and completing their projects. Four SIS faculty members have received Mentoring Excellence Awards from the Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, & Research (OSCAR). Students wishing to pursue undergraduate research may learn more by visiting the Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, & Research.

Students may also choose to pursue an independent study to earn Experiential Learning credit. In an independent study, students pair with professors to perform independent research on a topic of interest, typically within or related to the professor's research interests. Students work with the professor to develop a reading list and project to be completed during the term. Once students have identified a professor to work with and their learning goals for the semester, students can contact one of the SIS academic advisors to process paperwork to earn Experiential Learning credits.

The following articles describe just a few examples of SIS students applying their learning both in and out of the classroom.