Undergraduate Research

Getting a Jump on Learning

When you think of students doing research, do you envision master’s and doctoral students working closely with their major professors on projects that will shape their future careers?

Naturally, NAU graduate students are involved in such projects. But so are many undergraduates as well. For instance, students who receive NAU’s Hooper Undergraduate Research Awards have studied frogs and bogs, bark beetles and pine needles, icebergs and prong-horned antelope herds. They have ventured through the Colorado River system studying geologic finds and climbed the highest peak in Arizona to investigate the timberline. They have learned to pose and investigate research questions—and to present their findings in papers and at professional conferences.

Through the Minority Biomedical Research Support program, NAU involves Native Americans and other minority students in ongoing biomedical studies. Many graduates of this program are now enrolled in medical schools or are employed in biomedical settings. And through the Beckman Foundation, NAU undergraduates receive fellowship support for research projects in chemistry and the biological sciences.

NAU’s strong commitment to include undergraduates in research means these students end up not only understanding classroom material more fully but getting a jumpstart on graduate work and career possibilities as well.