Research Exploration Academy
Mission: The mission of the Research Exploration Academy is to enhance the undergraduate research experience at our university. We embrace the diversity of interests and people on campus. We encourage a deep understanding of research, how it is conducted, and how it impacts our local and global communities. We promote critical and constructive thinking. The Research Exploration Academy helps prepare undergraduate students for future research endeavors and provides avenues for development of leadership skills.
One of the best assets a large research university like UB has to offer is the ability to experience cutting-edge research. “Research” isn’t exclusively pursued in the realm of “science.” Yes, physicists and biologists conduct research, but so do historians and scholars of English literature. The Research Academy experience introduces students to various ways research is conducted at UB, and will demystify the ubiquitous “they” that you read or hear about. Students may select to dive into the Research Academy deeply, or just dip your toes in the water—look around and participate!
Definition of Undergraduate Research: “An inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original, intellectual, or creative contribution to the discipline.” (Council on Undergraduate Research)
The Research Exploration Academy is an inclusive and diverse community of student and faculty scholars that fosters and rewards creativity and collaboration. Under the direction of Academic Director, Dr. James Jensen, Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, you will:
- Improve your critical and constructive thinking skills
- Understand the ethics involved in conducting research
- Identify UB departments and schools where active research is conducted
- Be able to utilize UB library resources to conduct research using available literature
- Be able to utilize new advances in technology and the world wide web to effectively conduct research
- Be able to critically evaluate popular literature as it reports on results of research
Seminar Courses
The Undergraduate Academies offer an Introductory Academies seminar—UE 130—in the fall semester. This seminar allows students to explore interesting topics through the perspective of all three academies (Civic Engagement, Global Perspectives, and Research Exploration). Faculty will rotate through the three sections of the course helping expose students to a wider range of views. On a regular basis The Academies will offer academy-wide experiences to help students integrate the various perspectives and to bond as a community.
Through in and out of class experiences, students will:
- develop an awareness of the three academy focus areas,
- begin to appreciate how further study in these areas might be applied to study of important contemporary issues and how this might shape academic endeavors at UB,
- experience and meaningfully contribute to a community of faculty, staff, and fellow students eager to engage around common interests
Students are then encouraged to continue their Academies experience in the spring semester with an Academy specific seminar.
The Research Exploration (RE) Academy offers a theme based seminar in the spring semester. This seminar is open to all undergraduate students.
The Research Exploration (RE) Academy offered in the spring semester, will help you to:
- Explore the world of scholarly research and introduces students to UB’s research endeavors. Focuse on understanding discipline specific research and connect scholarly research to students’ academic majors.