MIT Sea Grant: Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

Objectives:The MIT Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) has been part of MIT’s undergraduate education program since 1969. The Sea Grant/Undergraduate Opportunities Program (SG/UROP) was initiated in September 1980 in response to an MIT Sea Grant faculty committee request for more undergraduate involvement in the Sea Grant Program. The commitment is consistent with MITís UROP program. Our objectives are toï Involve undergraduates in cutting edge marine research opportunitiesï Ensure students are involved in all aspects of a research project, from design, through implementation, to writing a report and presenting findings ï Encourage undergraduate students at MIT, institutions affiliated with MIT, and other academic institutions to work with Sea Grant-funded faculty and Sea Grant staffï Provide student assistance to MIT faculty and the MIT Sea Grant-funded faculty and staff in ongoing marine-related research programsMethodology:SG/UROP encourages and supports research-based, intellectual collaborations between undergraduates from MIT and other academic institutions and MIT-sponsored faculty, graduate students, and staff. Undergraduates are encouraged to participate in all phases of research, e.g., proposal writing, developing a research plan, conducting actual research, analyzing data, and/or presenting results in oral and written form. Projects may be done at any time during the academic year and/or in the summer, and may take place in academic departments or interdisciplinary laboratories. All SG/UROP projects meet the following requirements: ï Research work is worthy of academic credit (regardless of whether or not credit is requested);ï Active communication between the student and the faculty/supervisor responsible for guiding the intellectual course of the student’s work;ï A student-written statement of purpose describing the planned research; ï Evaluations of the SG/UROP experience and accomplishments, written by both the student and the faculty supervisor at the end of each period of performance.less of whether or not credit is requested) >Active communication between the student and the faculty supervisor, who is responsible for guiding the intellectual course of the student’s work >A student-written statement of purpose describing the planned research (called either a Proposal or a Letter of Intent) >Evaluations of the UROP experience and accomplishments, written by both the student and the faculty supervisor at the end of each term and/or summer period.Rationale:Keeping students engaged in science, engineering and math is a national challenge. We face a growing number of environmental issues, such as oil spills, increased storms and flooding, decreased biodiversity, sustainability of our coastal areas, and diminished fisheries resources that are real world challenges. Forming partnerships between students and researchers provides enhanced hands-on experiences that allow students to apply theoretical information to solving problems and developing projects consistent with MIT Sea Grantís Strategic Plan. To address the goal of increasing the number of undergraduates pursuing careers in marine science and engineering, MIT Sea Grant sponsors SG/UROP students from MIT, MIT affiliated universities, and other academic institutions to encourage creative problem-solving in engineering and ocean sciences that address issues of concern to the program, the state, and the nation.