NCSSM offers a variety of research options for both juniors and seniors. Whether highly specialized research leading to involvement in national competitions or exposure at a more basic level to the academic research process, the goal is to meet our students where they are in previous experience and potential interest and to equip them to take full advantage of the growing number of research programs available to undergraduates at the university level.

 

Research Experience

For students with little previous experience, Research Experience courses provide research skills development and the opportunity to complete a comprehensive research project in science, humanities, mathematics, or computer science. The sequence begins in the spring trimester of the junior year with an introductory course laying the groundwork for developing an appropriate project followed by a completion course in the fall or winter trimester of the senior year.

 

Junior year course options:

• IE354* Intro. to the Research Experience—Computer Science / Math
• IE354* Introduction to the Research Experience—Humanities
• IE354* Introduction to the Research Experience—Science

 

Senior year course options:

• IE364* Completion of the Research Experience—Biology
• IE364* Completion of the Research Experience—Chemistry
• IE364* Completion of the Research Experience—Computer Science
• IE364* Completion of the Research Experience—Humanities
• IE364* Completion of the Research Experience—Mathematics
• IE364* Completion of the Research Experience—Physics

 

Mentorship

Mentorship is for students who want to develop research skills as part of an opportunity to work in an off-campus lab or other real world setting with a research professional. Entry is by application to the Mentorship Coordinator, and the sequence begins in the spring trimester of the junior year with an explorations course designed to prepare students for the mentorship experience. That is followed in the fall and winter trimesters of the senior year with an off-campus mentorship, where students spend two full afternoons each week working on an independent project or as part of an ongoing project currently underway at an area university or in a Research Triangle Park lab under the guidance of one or more mentors.

 

Courses:

• IE308* Explorations in Mentorship
• IE405* Mentorship—Senior Research

 

Research In Biology, Chemistry, Computational Science, or Physics

Research courses in a specific scientific discipline are for students who want to initiate or continue an in-depth research project of their own design. Entry is by application to the designated research instructor and requires permission of the Dean of Science. The sequence begins as early as the winter trimester of the junior year and continues up to four trimesters through the planning, implementation, analysis, and presentation of an original research project. Students often participate in summer research programs on campus or in the Triangle area and/or have the option of entering their work in state or national competitions.

 

Courses:

• BI442 Research in Biology I
• BI444 Research in Biology II
• BI446 Research in Biology III
• BI448 Research in Biology IV
• CH442* Research in Chemistry I
• CH444* Research in Chemistry II
• CH446* Research in Chemistry III
• CH448* Research in Chemistry IV
• PH442* Research in Physics I
• PH444* Research in Physics II
• PH446* Research in Physics III
• PH448* Research in Physics IV
• IE442* Research in Computational Science I
• IE444* Research in Computational Science II
• IE446* Research in Computational Science III

 

Research In Mathematics

Students earn a research credential in Mathematics by successfully completing a three trimester sequence in Statistics with Advanced Topics or an upper level course in Mathematical Modeling. Both options are project oriented, with students designing experiments to mathematically analyze real world problems, gathering and testing data then presenting their results. Entry is by permission of the Dean of Mathematics; students with a strong background in mathematics can begin the Statistics sequence in their junior year, while Mathematical Modeling is open only to seniors.

 

Courses:

• MA440 AP Statistics (Advanced Topics I)
• MA442 AP Statistics (Advanced Topics II)
• MA444 AP Statistics (Advanced Topics III)
• MA470 Mathematical Modeling