Tutorials
& Testimonials
60 minutes to get started in
Research
• THESIS
• DIRECTED-STUDIES
• VOLUNTEERING
• RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS
Presented By:
AGENDA
 Tutorial
Scholarly Research Opportunities
Benefits of Research
Future possibilities
 Testimonia ls
Bio-Mich elle
Psych-Mitch
Physics Chem-Ar thu r
Kin-Victo ria
Health -Sam
 What Next?
How to apply
Forms
Questions?
SCHOLARLY RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
 Volunteer Assistan t
 Directed Studies Student
Department
Biology
Psychology
Physics & Computer Science
Directed Studies/Directed Research(I&II )
-0.5 400 level credit per semester
Chemistry
Kinesiology & Physical Ed
Health Science
Name /Course Code
Directed Studies/BI495
Directed Studies/PS490
Directed Research Project I/PC491
Directed Research Project II/PC492
Directed Studies/PC495
Directed Research Project I/CP493
Directed Research Project II/CP494
Directed Studies/CP495
Directed Studies/CH495
Directed Studies/KP342
Directed Studies
Credits
0.5 per term
0.5 per term
0.5 per term
0.5 per term
0.5 per term
0.5 per term
 Thesis student
-Thesis/Honours Thesis/Honours Seminar
-1.0 or 1.5 400 level credit
Department
Biology
Psychology
Physics & Computer Science
Chemistry
Kinesiology & Physical Ed
Health Science
 Research Assistan tsh ip
Course Code & Name
Thesis/BI499
Thesis/PS499
Interdisciplinary Design Project I
& II CP496/PC PC497
Honours Thesis/CH490
Thesis/KP490
Directed Research in Health
Science/HE490
Credits
1.5 per 2 terms
1.0 per 2 terms
1.0 per 2 terms
1.5 per 2 terms
1.0 per 2 terms
1.0 per 2 terms
BENEFITS OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
 Gain lab experience
 Earn credits(Thesis and Directed Studies)
 Strengthen lab techniques
 Build references for future prospects
 Great way to gauge whether research is for you
 Good way to network
 Establish a great foundation for Graduate Schools
FUTURE POSSIBILITIES
 Portfolio
 Grants
- NSERC (USRA)
-FOSSA (Research Assistantship Scholarship)
 Graduate School
- Masters programs
-Post-doctoral stud ies
 Professional School
- Medical Schools
-Dentistry
-Optometry
-Pharmacy
TESTIMONIALS
 Biology: Michelle Pios
 Psychology: Mitchell Brewer
 Physics:
 Chemistry: Arthur Situm
 Kinesiology: Victoria Hamilton
 Health: Samantha Fernandes
VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT
1.
Write an e-mail to the professor Including the following points :
-
Declare your interest in their research and in getting involved
A range of hours you’d like to contribute (i.e. 16 hours a month).
Your weekly schedule
Your possible future research involvement (i.e. planning to do a
thesis)
** Follow this e -mail with a drop in
2. Just drop into the professors office hours and discuss face -to-face
DIRECTED STUDY
 Gather information about your department’s faculty’s interests.
 Create a timetable with courses and extracurricular commitments
 E-mail professor or drop in for office hours and:
-
Declare your interest in their research and in getting involved
Your previous courses (if applicable)
Your timetable
Your possible future research involvement (i.e. planning to do a thesis)
** Follow this e -mail with a drop in
 Drop in to Inquire about being a directed study student
 Fill out forms with professors for approval
THESIS: 1.0 OR 1.5, 400 LEVEL CREDIT
 Gather information about your department’s faculty’s interests.
 Talk to potential thesis supervisors about their research interests
and style of supervision.
 Talk to students currently registered in a thesis course for their
advice.
 Attend the Honours Thesis Poster Conference held each year
during the last week of class of the winter term
 Secure a professor in your 3 rd year that will supervise you
 Fill out form once a supervisor is secured
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
 Most often students are currently working in the lab when
applying for RA.
 Determine schedule for the term you would like to work
 Approach current or alternate supervisor about Research
Assistance
 Secure position
 Apply for grants.(To be mentioned)
FORMS/WEBSITE
 Thesis -www.wlu.ca
 Click Faculties
 Departments
*Thesis forms may be found on a departmental base
 Directed Study forms-www.wlu.ca
WLU website
Type in Directed studies form in search box
First link on results page
FORMS AND WEBSITES
 Research Assistantships
NSERC(USRA)-www.nserc.ca
Navigation through page
Student and Fellows
Undergraduate Programs
Undergraduate Student Research Awards
FOSSA-www.fossa.ca
 Position Availability-www.researchoutreach.ca
ACADEMIC ADVISORS
 Advisors
ADMIN ASSISTANTS
Directed Studies Form
 Type in Directed Studies in
search box and form pops up

http://www.wlu.ca/forms/2073/dir
ected_study.pdf
Example of Thesis
Application
PS499 Thesis Application
Department of Psychology
Wilfrid Laurier University
2013 - 2014
Name:
ID #:
WLU Email Address:
1.
Name of proposed thesis supervisor:
2.
The proposed topic area of thesis:
3.
I, ____________________________, am willing to supervise the thesis of
(printed name of supervisor)
______________________________, if his/her application to the PS499 course
(printed name of student)
is approved.
________________________________
Signature of Supervisor
__________________ ___
Date
________________________________
Signature of Student
_____________________
Date
Find this package and much
more on our website :
www.researchoutreach.ca.
Tell your friends to come to out to our
upcoming events.
• Meet The Grads (November 21)
• Beyond Undergrad (January)
• Career Night (February)
• Course Info Night (March)