Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP)
The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) is a one-year program that offers first- and second-year students the chance to participate in the research and creative process with faculty.
First year transfer students may apply and are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Dear OURS Community:
Recent events in Atlanta and throughout the U.S. have intensified fear and pain within Asian, Pacific Islander and Asian American communities. Anti-Asian violence in the U.S. stems back to the 1800s and continues to this day. Anti-Asian attacks have increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and has exacerbated xenophobia toward Asian, Pacific Islander and Asian American communities. These murders and attacks on Asian, Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans are hateful and racist acts of violence that go against everything we stand for.
OURS continues to be committed to fostering a safe and welcoming environment for all students, staff, faculty, and community members. As a team we are committed to learning about avoiding harmful stereotypes, challenging anti-Asian racism and working to identify effective and actionable ways to address this and all forms of prejudice and racism.
This also requires us to question our own complicity in anti-Asian racism and other oppressions, and to continue to actively and consistently challenge them, not just in a time of crisis. Please take this time to extend your solidarity and stand with your Asian, Pacific Islander, and Asian American students, staff, faculty, and other community members. We encourage our community – students, staff, faculty and alumni to acknowledge, denounce and speak up against anti-Asian crimes.
Please know that we are here to support you.
In firm solidarity,
The OURS Team
The Office of Undergraduate Research Services (OURS) team stands in solidarity with our Black community on our CSULB campus. The killings of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Aubrey, George Floyd, Tony McDade and many other Black lives are a stark reminder of the racial injustice and police brutality that the Black community face every day in our society. We recognize the profound anguish and additional trauma that members of the Black community carry as a result of systematic racism and violence. We call upon all students, faculty, staff and the CSULB community – especially those who do not hold oppressed or marginalized identities to help us demonstrate that OURS is a community of care and respect. At OURS, we provide research opportunities for all CSULB undergraduate students and many of our programs are aimed at providing opportunities for historically underrepresented populations, including our Black community members. To our Black students, we see you, we hear you, we value you and we are committed to changing the system. We will continue to create a welcoming environment that supports Black lives and fosters a sense of belonging, create safe spaces for open dialogues, and work with our Black students, staff and faculty to improve our curriculum and services. Finally, we call on our OURS community to act – listen, learn, speak up, advocate and show up for one another.
In firm solidarity,
The OURS team
NOTE: In compliance with university procedures, we will no longer be meeting in person for the research seminar. The UROP symposium scheduled in May is cancelled, but posters must still be submitted electronically.
This action is a proactive step being taken to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. For more information visit www.csulb.edu/covid-19.
In-person Peer mentoring will NOT be available but other methods like phone calls, zoom, or email will be available. Continue to schedule apointments via SSC on your CSULB single sign on.
Students who feel ill should contact Student Health Services or a medical professional.
The OURS staff will be working remotely and can be reached via email at aa-ours@csulb.edu.
Students should check BeachMail regularly for updates.
What to Expect During the Year
Fall Semester: Students who are admitted to the program attend a one-unit research seminar (UNIV 296) during the Fall semester to learn about:
- Research methods
- Research ethics
- Research-focused field trips and tours
- Cutting edge research
- Skill-building topics, such as writing for research purposes, how to conduct a literature review, effective library use, and an introduction to using computers and technology to support research.
Spring Semester: In Spring, students conduct research or creative work with a faculty member and present their research at the CSULB Undergraduate Research Symposium. They also enroll in an advanced research seminar (UNIV 297) that focuses on supporting successful research placements, career exploration and major preparation and success.
Choosing a Research Project
Once students have been admitted and have met with a UROP Advisor at the August enrollment seminar, they will begin searching for a research project among UROP's list of faculty research sponsors and projects. Students are encouraged to look broadly for projects and keep an open mind when reviewing project listings.
Funding
Funding for students who participate in UROP consists of $16.25-$16.50 per hour.
