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Graduate Studies

The Summer Student Research Program (SSRP) supports independent student research and scholarly activity each summer. The program is open to students from all disciplines, and is structured to enrich the educational experience in several ways.

First, SSRP enables students to engage in original research and creative activity under the guidance of a faculty mentor. This opportunity to work closely with an expert gives the student a chance to expand their knowledge of a chosen academic discipline. Secondly, because the research is independent of the structured classroom setting, students experience the excitement and challenges of applying their knowledge and skills to solve new problems. Finally, students draw on their general studies coursework and learn about research in other disciplines, broadening their understanding of the differences and connections between various fields of study.

The program begins in Mid-May, when the students go on an overnight field trip. By late May, they have begun work in earnest, meeting with their mentors on a regular basis and participating in weekly meetings with other student scholars. These discussions are meant to foster awareness of research issues outside their major, and may include topics like research ethics, the use of statistics, or the creative process in the arts. Research ends by August 1, and students must complete a research paper before the beginning of the new academic year. In September each year, students present their work on posters and in oral presentations in a Fall Symposium.