To qualify for an honors diploma, all students enrolled in the Honors College are required to complete three credit hours of Honors Research (3980). Every major at OU has a 3980 course; students enroll in the course with the prefix for the department in which their faculty mentor teaches. Although many students may want to start doing undergraduate research sooner, junior standing is required to enroll in 3980.
In partnership with the OU Honors College and to facilitate this process for engineering honors students, the Gallogly College of Engineering offers the Honors Engineering Research Experience (HERE).
The HERE program is offered every semester, with an application completed in the previous semester. The program is offered to students who will have junior standing or higher in the semester they will do research. Students accepting a position with a faculty mentor agree to enroll in three credit hours of honors research ([major code] 3980) and to commit 9-12 hours per week to their research project. These credit hours fulfill the honors research requirement and count as a technical elective in most engineering majors.
HERE is not the only way to do your honors research! In fact, some students want to begin research before their junior year. If a student starts research before they are eligible to enroll in 3980, they need to make sure to enroll in the class during their junior or senior year (with the same faculty member or a new one) to complete that honors degree requirement. Doing research without enrolling in 3980 does not meet the requirement.
A call for applications will be emailed and publicized through the Gallogly College Student Update and on electronic boards in the college. This call is usually sent about week seven of a semester for research placements the following academic year term. Students complete an online application through the GCoE Undergraduate Research application portal and upload a resume. In the application, you list up to four faculty members whose projects interest you.
After the application deadline, faculty will review applications, possibly interview students, and let the Honors Liaison know who they would like offered their position. Because several students may express interest in the same projects, it is important that you speak with all the faculty who contact you about their projects. Students are not guaranteed placement with whomever might be their top choice.
Once all the selections by faculty are made, the Honors Liaison will email students with the list of faculty who selected them. If a student receives more than one selection, they then choose which research project they prefer and notify the Honors Liaison and faculty member.
Whether you find your placement on your own, or you are selected through the HERE matching program, your next step is to work with your research mentor to complete the Honors Research contract. This form sets the expected outcomes and criteria for your grade in the research course. Once you and your research mentor have completed and signed the form you need to email it to the Research Liaison for their signature. They will either send it back to you to submit to Honors College or submit it to Honors on your behalf. The contact information for the current GCoE Honors Liaison is found below.
Consider attending seminars or workshops hosted by the Engineering Pathways office to learn about different research and professional development topics related to undergraduate research such as, reading a scientific paper, presenting your work, how to list your research on your resume, how to talk about your work in interviews, etc. The schedule of these opportunities will be listed in the Gallogly Student Update and on electronic boards around the quad, as well as under Events on the undergraduate research webpage.
Honors College encourages honors research students to present in their annual Undergraduate Research Day held in late March every year. Watch your email for information from Honors College about that event. Your mentor may want you to present at conferences – seize those opportunities if they come up! Watch for other events and opportunities announced through GCoE.
