Ready to Get Started?
No project? No mentor? No problem!
Step 1: Find a faculty research mentor - Let us help! We have options:
The role of a mentor is to:
- assist in the development and articulation of a project idea and plan.
- help you understand the methods and concepts of research and scholarship within your field.
- guide and train you in the skills and/or techniques needed to complete a project.
There is no pressure to come up with your own idea because most students work directly on a faculty project.
Located in the Getting Started in Research Toolkit, this video is designed to help students navigate the undergraduate research process.
These worksheets are used in our Getting Started in Research Consultations and can help you clarify your research interests and also outline the research journey - start to finish.
- What are your research interests?
- The research journey: How to get involved, find a faculty mentor, and next steps.
- Tips and hints for emailing faculty about research opportunities
- Need an email signature? Check out the USC Email Signature Generator.
Use our searchable research database to identify faculty who have research interests similar to yours.
The Office of Undergraduate Research offers individual consultations where we will explore your research interests, walk through how to find and reach out to potential faculty mentors, and discuss next steps.
To schedule a RESEARCH CONSULTATION*:
Consultations will be held either in person or virtually through Teams video conferencing.
If you select a virtual consultation, a weblink will be provided to you in your meeting
confirmation email. Please click on the weblink at your designated meeting time to
start your appointment.
=> Log on to sc.campus.eab.com
=> Click on "Make an Appointment" tab (right hand side of the screen)
=> Under what type of appointment, select "Involvement and Engagement"
=> Under service, select "Undergraduate Research Appointment"
=> Then click on the button "Find Available Time"
Please feel free to include comments about where you are in the research journey (curious
about research, ready to get started, have a mentor/questions about funding, etc.).
This helps us better help you!
*If these appointment options conflict with your schedule, please contact us directly at our@sc.edu with days and times you are available to meet by video.
- Talk to your current or past professors after class, ask for a meeting, or stop by their office hours. Do they have opportunities for students or suggestions for other faculty who might?
- Ask peers about their professors or research mentors.
- Take a professor out-to-lunch with the Student Success Center’s Out-To-Lunch Program.
Always feel free to contact us by email or phone (803-777-1141) as well - we are here to help at every step along your research journey!
Step 2: Embark on your research journey
Have a mentor and project? You're ready to move on to the next steps.
Record your undergraduate research experience and enter your project(s) in the OUR Research Registry. This is required every semester for research to appear on your "My USC Experience" transcript.
Tips, hints, and resources to make the most of your research experience with your mentor.
Find funding to support your research project, and get application deadlines and details.
Publish, present, and get the word out about your research findings.
Additional information and resources to help you along your research journey - from registering your project, to understanding your rights and responsibilities, to getting the most out of your research experiences by taking your work to the next level.