Research
Extend learning
HSP students are encouraged to extend their learning by including a mentored research
experience in their program of study. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the HSP
major, there is no one model of what research projects should or can be. HSP students
in the past have done a wide variety of creative works and research projects. Their
mentors have been clinicians, lab scientists, social and behavioral scientists, community
partners, and policy makers. HSP students can choose a faculty mentor in any department
across campus. HSP students can engage in research at any stage of the program, but
most choose to do it during their junior or senior year. When you meet next with your academic advisor, you can discuss how you might get involved in research and how it could fulfill
one of your electives in the HSP degree.
The Office of Undergraduate Research offers a number of resources and programs to help undergraduates participate in student-faculty mentor collaborative research experiences.
office of undergraduate research
tools for getting started
According to the Council on Undergraduate Research, undergraduate research is “an inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline.There are SO many reasons to become involved in undergraduate research. Just to start, you will be taking the opportunity to develop skills necessary to improve your marketability in graduate school applications, your career, and in your personal life. You will gain experiential education that is translatable to real-world skills that are requisite for jobs. You will have the opportunity to develop and hone networking and social skills. And you get to do all of this while contributing to cutting-edge research in any field here at the U. In addition, research is fun. You get to immerse yourself in a project led by top researchers and develop skills and personal attributes that will continue to benefit you throughout your life.”
The Office of Undergraduate Research offers educational events on topics of interest to undergraduate student researchers and their faculty mentors. These events are open to all and are designed specifically with undergraduate students in mind.
The Find a Researcher database contains listings of University of Utah faculty and graduate students who are research topic experts and potential research collaborators.
The Pediatric Clinical Research Minor is an undergrad minor where students receive credit for conducting clinical research designed by University of Utah and Primary Children’s Hospital physicians and healthcare providers. Students who participate in this course work in a clinical setting gain exposure to clinical research, interact with pediatric patients and their families, and develop relationships with Department of Pediatrics faculty.