Student research opportunities
Here is a list of specific programs and courses (by department) aimed at involving students in research and/or training students in research methods.
African American studies
All AFS major students are required to complete a research project through either one of the following:
- AFS 5991: Field Work
- AFS 6990: Directed Study
See African American studies faculty research for more information on research interests or to contact a participating faculty member.
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Anthropology
Ongoing department research projects involving undergraduate students:
Grosscup Museum of Anthropology
Museum exhibit preparation and curation, cataloging and analysis of ethnographic and archaeological objects from Michigan, North America and around the world.
Material Culture Lab
Identifying, processing and cataloging ethnographic, art and sacred objects from Africa and the Caribbean.
Archaeology Laboratory
Research on recently excavated artifacts from Detroit and other Great Lakes/Midwest historical sites.
Faculty research
Recent examples include:
- Detroit food politics (cultural anthropology)
- Urban fishing study (medical anthropology)
- Oak Hill Pontiac Cemetery Project (physical anthropology)
- Bronze Age malaria research in the Mediterranean (physical anthropology)
Visit anthropology research for more information about opportunities to get involved.
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Biological sciences
Students working on a project in Yellowstone National Park, lead by Prof. Kashian, Biological Sciences
The biological sciences department involves the majority of its students in research, through research courses such as:
- BIO 3990: Directed Study
- BIO 5996: Senior Research
- BIO 6990: Honors Directed Study
Recent research projects include anything from molecular biology to medical applications to ecology.
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Chemistry
All chemistry majors are required to complete a research project through CHM 5999: Research in Chemistry or CHM 5998: Honors These Research in Chemistry.
Students participate in faculty research, ranging over all areas of chemistry (biochemistry, nanotechnology, organic chemistry, physical chemistry etc.).
Visit chemistry undergraduate research for more information on research interests or to contact a participating faculty member.
Find a participating faculty member
Classical and modern languages, literatures and cultures
Research courses
- CLA 5300: Methods and Materials in Classical Studies
- CLA 5990: Directed Study
Faculty research
A recent example includes the public presentation of an undergraduate research project of the myth of Medea in contemporary literature, funded by the Classical Association of the Middle West and South (with Professor Michele Valerie Ronnick).
Other opportunities
- Study Abroad
- Junior Year in Munich
- Faculty research in other areas
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Communication sciences and disorders
It is standard for CSD majors to participate in clinical training (audiology, speech therapy).
Students may also participate in independent research with faculty. For more information, learn more about the CSD research labs.
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Criminology and criminal justice
Research courses
- CRJ 4970: Internship in Criminal Justice
- CRJ 4860: Research Methods in Criminal Justice
- CRJ 4998: Honors Thesis
- CRJ 4990: Directed Study
Other opportunities
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Economics
Research courses
- ECO 3990: Directed Study
- ECO 4991: Research in Economics
- ECO 4997: Senior Honors Research
Other opportunities
The Fed Challenge is a national program funded through the Federal Reserve Bank. Each student team is required to analyze current economic data, develop a monetary policy recommendation and defend that recommendation in front of a panel of judges.
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English
Opportunities
- Rushton Undergraduate Conference on Language, Literature and Culture
- Scholarships for creative writing and other areas of achievement in English
Research courses
All students enrolled in English must complete a capstone project.
- ENG 4990: Directed Study: Honors
- ENG 4991: Honors Seminar
- ENG 4992: Honors Project
- ENG 5820: Internship in English
- ENG 5990: Directed Study
- ENG 5992: Senior Seminar
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Environmental science and geology
As part of many geology and environmental science courses, students go on field trips. Recent field trips went to Arizona, Utah, Missouri, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, etc.
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History
Sterne-Lion Undergraduate Research Award
Students may apply for up to two grants worth up to $1,500 each to support a research project proposed by a history major.
Awards
Students may apply for undergraduate research awards related to an area/course of study.
Research courses
- HIS 5996: Capstone Course
- HIS 5995: Honors Seminar
Students may also participate in independent research with faculty.
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Mathematics
Students may participate in independent research with faculty. Visit mathematics faculty research areas for more information.
Current projects
- Brunnian links and Massey product relations
- Finitely presented modules over the Steenrod algebra
- Web interface for computer algebra system
- Theory and Implementation of Novel Numerical Methods for Equations with Singularities
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Nutrition and food sciences
Students may participate in independent research with faculty. Visit NFS faculty research areas for more information or to contact a participating faculty member.
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Philosophy
Students may participate in an independent research opportunity with faculty. Visit the philosophy colloquia and lectures for more information on research interests or to contact a participating faculty member.
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Physics and astronomy
Richard J. Barber Summer Research Program
- An interdisciplinary summer research program in biological and medical applications of physics
- Collaboration with faculty from physics, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, biological sciences, and pharmacy
- Funds seven teams of one undergraduate biomedical physics student and one graduate student each for a summer research project
Learn more about the Richard J. Barber research program
Research courses
- PHY 3999 or 5999: Directed Study
- Capstone courses in research methods: PHY 6850: Modern Physics Lab and PHY 6780: Research Methods in Biomedical Physics
Other opportunities
- Physics Undergraduate Research Day, organized by the Society of Physics Students
Students may also participate in an independent research opportunity with faculty.
Find a participating faculty member
Political science
Courses
- Research-intensive courses: PS 4990: Directed Study, PS 4995: Senior Honors Paper
- PS 5993: Writing Intensive Course in Political Science
Students may participate in an independent research opportunity with faculty. Visit the political science faculty research areas for more information on research interests or to contact a participating faculty member.
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Psychology
Students may participate in an independent research opportunity with faculty. For more information, visit psychology undergraduate research opportunities.
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Sociology
Students may participate in one or more Student Research Award initiatives, including the Frank Hartung Award for best research paper.
Research courses
- Required research: SOC 4996: Sociology Capstone Course
Students may participate in an independent research opportunity with faculty. View our faculty sociology research for more information on research interests or to contact a participating faculty member.
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Urban studies and planning
Students may select a research topic of interest for the final capstone project, towards the completion of their degree.
Wayne State Student Urban Planners (WSSUP) is an association of undergraduate and graduate students interested in issues related to urban planning. WSSUP provides a forum for conversation, collaboration, and innovation amongst students from multidisciplinary backgrounds, and interests ranging from urban agriculture and design to economic development and housing equality.