The Honors Engineering Research Experience (HERE) is open to Honors upperclassmen who are majoring in any field of Engineering. Through an application and placement process, students are matched with ongoing research projects led by professors from the College of Engineering. Students will participate in active laboratory research for approximately 12 hours per week, working closely with a lab mentor.
Students earn a letter grade and 3 credits of Research 3980 for successful completion of HERE. In most cases, student work will culminate in a project that can be submitted as their Honors thesis. Only Honors students in good standing are eligible to enroll in HERE. HERE is offered in both fall and spring semesters each year.
Terri Possehl
The Honors Research Assistant Program provides Honors students an opportunity to work with professors as paid research assistants. Specific projects and the type of work entailed varies with each participating professor. Twenty-five HRAP positions are funded each fall and spring semester.
Fall 2025 Opportunities for both student and faculty HRAP positions are closed.
Check back in January for Spring 2026 HRAP Opportunities.
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Open HRAP positions will be listed below at the start of each fall and spring semester along with position dates. Positions are 10 hours per week for a period of 10 weeks, paid to the student at a rate of $10 per hour.
Contact honors@ou.edu with any questions or for more information.
The Honors Undergraduate Research Journal (THURJ) is an annual publication that celebrates undergraduate research in all academic disciplines. Each spring, THURJ publishes the best undergraduate research papers from the previous year written by Honors students, as determined by an editorial board of their peers. The editorial board reads and evaluates submissions using a blind review process, and chooses between 8-12 papers for publication in the journal. All published authors also receive a $200 prize.
Research 3980 is an independent study course that proves an opportunity for Honors students to engage in an original research project about a question, issue, or subject that interests them. Most students use the results of 3980 as their Honors thesis submission (see below). Completion of 3 credit hours of 3980 is required for students planning to graduate with Honors in one major; students with more than one major may need additional credit hours of 3980 and should consult an Honors advisor.
Research 3980 can be completed in any college or department, including the Honors College, depending on a student's interests. It is the student's responsibility to seek out a professor who will serve as their mentor for 3980, and it is best to approach potential professors at least one semester prior to the planned enrollment. Most students complete 3980 with a professor they have already taken a class with, often within their major, but this is not always the case.
Consult an Honors College advisor about any questions related to completing the Research 3980 requirement.
The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) offers financial assistance for student-driven scholarly and creative projects under the mentorship of a faculty member. UROP grants can be requested for up to $1,000. UROP grants cover research expenses only.
Fall 2025 Opportunities for UROP positions are closed.
Check back in January for Spring 2026 UROP Opportunities.
Contact honors@ou.edu with any questions or for more information.
