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Tuesday, October 25, 2011 Issue 47 I N D E P E N D E N T
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Vol. 118 S T U D E N T
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Undergrads seek opportunities in research Office of Research emphasizes research for undergraduates not only for science majors RJ Vogt Staff Writer The final of four panels in the Life of the Mind series, titled “Undergraduate Research at UTK: Be Inspired, Get Involved!” provided freshman students — and any others who were interested — with an opportunity to interact with current undergraduate students who conduct research on a daily basis. “Undergraduate research is a deeper pursuit of ‘What’ moments,” said Dr. Mark Littmann, a professor in journalism and electronic media and moderator of the event. Littmann explained that our generation seeks for something surprising and exciting in every new text message or e-mail. Undergraduate research simply creates a deeper and more meaningful surprise. After his brief insights, Littmann turned the microphone over to a panel packed with interesting researchers. The students showed a wide variety of scientific research, from Madelyn Crawford, a junior in biological science who investigates a protein important in prescription drugs, to Mark Walker, a senior in nuclear engineering who checks Russia’s dismantled nuclear weapons. But science is not the only available option for undergraduate research. Mark Remec, sophomore in mathematics who also founded the Undergraduate Research Students’ Association, pointed out that “research is for every major.” Whether a philosophy major or a physics major, undergraduate research does not require labs. Littmann echoed this point by telling the story of a student who last year produced a video documentary on a rock band for a research group.
These research groups fall under the Office of Research, which supplied Sharon Pound as a representative. She presented the freshmen with information on various research opportunities, including Research Week, Summer Research Internship, Posters at the Capitol and “Pursuit: The Journal of Undergraduate Research.” Pound also described that many research opportunities exist inside the classroom; all one has to do is ask a professor if he needs any help in his lab or office. That kind of action is exactly what Eric Martin, senior in engineering physics, did. He simply Googled an area in which he was interested, e-mailed a scientist named Warren Grice at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and jumped into work on quantum optics. Pound also explained the benefits of undergraduate research. Students gain experience, relationships with faculty and, in some cases, money. The Summer Research Internship pays up to 75 students $2,000 each. Although the financial plus seems the most important, Pound revealed that the research conducted by students benefits not only themselves, but also the faculty, university and even the country. “I actually enjoyed the panel,” Salvador Guzman, an undecided freshman, said. “It was cool to find out what other students are researching.” If interested in any of these opportunities, contact the Office of Research at research@utk.edu. “It may seem tedious, but if you take a step back, you see that what you are doing is really incredible,” Mark Remec, a sophomore in mathematics, said referring to undergraduate research.
Tara Sripunvoraskul • The Daily Beacon
Emily Thompson, junior in biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology, measures concentrations in a lab in the Walters Life Sciences building on Friday, Sept. 16. Students and staff at UT are working together to foster growth in undergraduate student research across all majors at the university.
Academic journal gives undergrads research opportunties Taylor McElroy Staff Writer UT’s undergraduate research journal is seen by some as one of the most overlooked sources of knowledge on campus. The purpose of “Pursuit” is to allow students to publish their academic work. This journal provides the opportunity for students from all academic colleges to publish their scholarly work any time throughout their undergraduate career. Originally founded in 2009, the journal is supported by the Chancellor’s Honors Program and the university’s Office of Research. The editors and the review board are all made up of undergraduate students who, with the help of select faculty, review and publish submissions from students. The staff takes pride in making this journal for the students, by the students. “‘Pursuit’ is an excellent resource for undergraduate students looking to publish their research,” said Sarah Russell, editor-in-chief of “Pursuit.” “We believe that research is an invaluable part of the undergraduate experience for college students in any discipline, and we seek to promote the work of those students who have participated in undergraduate research.” “Pursuit” is always on the lookout for new submissions. The journal has just finished its Fall 2011 issue and is now in need of submissions for the Spring 2012 issue, making this the first time it has published two issues in one academic year. Submitted articles cannot have been previously published, nor be forthcoming in an archival Tara Sripunvoraskul • The Daily Beacon journal or book, whether Jessica Hill, senior in public administration and Spanish, helps at an event for Students for Ed Reform on the electronic or print. However, Pedestrian Mall on Monday, Oct. 24. The new campus organization focuses on promoting education and equal- “publication” in a workingity through learning across the nation. paper series does not consti-
tute prior publication. In addition, by submitting material to “Pursuit” the author is stipulating that the material is not currently under review at another journal and that he or she will not submit the material to another journal, until the completion of the editorial decision process. That said, after publishing an article in “Pursuit,” publishing it in another publication is permitted. This is not a competition; in fact the goal of “Pursuit” is to help students “get their work out there.” They strongly encourage students of any academic college to publish their papers and theses. Diversity is important, and publication can only help later. “If you are considering grad school, publishing adds a half point to your grade point average and they appreciate a good publication,” Charlie Borenstein, a staff writer and junior in material science and engineering, said. Students interested in submitting their work are encouraged to visit the “Pursuit” website at trace.tennessee.edu/pursuit and read the rules of submission, or call their office (also found on the website). All entries are asked to be kept at a 30-page limit, 15 for science and engineering papers. Those who recently graduated may also submit their work within one year after undergraduate graduation. “We hope that any students who have written a paper about their undergraduate research will consider submitting their work to ‘Pursuit’,” Russell said. “We have extended our final deadline for submissions to Nov. 18, 2011, and we hope to have some excellent papers to consider for our second issue!”