WHAT ATP & UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH IS:

The Adrian Tinsley Program for Undergraduate Research (ATP) gives students the opportunity to do one-on-one mentored work on a project of their own design--either research-based or creative. Any undergraduate, regardless of major or GPA, is eligible to participate in the program. Working with their faculty mentors, students develop a significant question on a subject both personally important to them as well as professionally important to the area of study they are working in and conduct their work either during the semester (with the financial support of a semester grant) or the summer (with the substantial financial support of a summer research grant).

The project may include laboratory research in the physical and life sciences; research in education, mathematics and business; scholarship in the humanities and social sciences; creative writing; and stage performances, displays or research in the visual arts and design.
 

WHAT ELSE STUDENTS CAN DO IN THIS PROGRAM:

PRESENTATION/PUBLICATION:

With the help of the  Office of Undergraduate Research, ATP gives students the opportunity to present their work on campus every April at the Annual BSU Undergraduate Research Symposium, as well as publish their work in The Undergraduate Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Work.  

 

TRAVEL GRANTS:
Students who are actively working on research and creative projects can also travel to present as an undergraduate at professional conferences within their discipline using an ATP travel grant. ATP regularly sends students to professional conferences in Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Sociology, and English, among many others.

NCUR:
Another option for travel includes presentation at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR). Every year, BSU sends upwards of 25 undergraduates to present in nearly every discipline represented at the college. If you are accepted to present, ATP will fund your trip in full. Places NCUR has taken BSU students include Salt Lake City, Utah; Asheville, North Carolina; San Francisco, California; and Missoula, Montana.

HELP WITH GRADUATE SCHOOL APPS:
Finally, when and if you are ready, ATP offers students support to apply to graduate school through the ATP Graduate School Reimbursement Program. Students can be reimbursed for those expenses associated with the entire process: application fees, GRE/GMAT test fees or fees for other tests commonly taken before admission to graduate study, as well as costs associated with test preparation to take tests like the GRE/GMAT.

WHY STUDENTS SHOULD REALLY WANT TO DO THIS:

Those of us committed to Undergraduate Research at BSU know that Bridgewater students work a lot of not so great jobs to make their way through college, but we also know that those are not the jobs that will help you to get the career you want--the life you want--after college.

Participation in Undergraduate Research helps to demonstrate a student's expertise in his or her chosen field in a very tangible way. Every time a student participates in an event, receives a grant, presents at a conference, or publishes a paper she is building a resume and helping to insure success after college. Participation in undergraduate research equips you with a skill set and experience that graduate schools and future employers seek in their applicants.

Additionally, students who participate in Undergraduate Research routinely cite it as one of the most important experiences of their academic career. Students find the experience--however difficult it turns out to be--of determining an area of study, developing a question worth asking, and seeing the answer through to the end to be inspirational. The opportunity to get to know a faculty member that this kind of work affords you is invaluable during an undergraduate career and far beyond. Once a faculty mentor is a part of your life, you will always have an advocate to turn to. Finally, students who have worked with ATP have a new confidence in their own abilities and intellect that they will carry with them onto their next big adventure.

Still not sure what Undergraduate Research is or how to do it? Check out the Office of Undergraduate Research's homepage and arrow through the presentation on what we're all about.
 

A NOTE TO FACULTY:

While ATP is certainly dedicated first and foremost to supporting undergraduates and their research and creative work, ATP also has a long tradition of supporting the dedicated and gifted faculty who agree to mentor students in the program. ATP offers modest stipends to faculty during the summer as well as to help offset the cost of travel for faculty accompanying students to conferences. The Course-embedded Research Grant offers faculty the opportunity to develop modest research projects for any undergraduate course they are teaching. And Undergraduate Research Away supports one faculty member a summer to travel to an international site to mentor up to four undergraduates.

Additionally, with the support of the Office of Undergraduate Research, ATP provides faculty development on various aspects of good mentorship, including undergraduate research at all levels of the curriculum, and documenting your participation in ATP in your tenure and promotion materials. ATP knows that without BSU faculty, this program wouldn't exist and see it as our responsibility to advocate for those of you who are such tremendous advocates for the students we work with.

All of us involved in ATP and UR think that this is one of the best things happening at Bridgewater, and we hope to be able to work with you during your time at BSU.

The Adrian Tinsley Program is funded through the Bridgewater State University Foundation and the President's Office, and administered by a faculty Advisory Committee. For questions about ATP, please contact the ATP Coordinators:
 
           Dr. Steven Haefner (Coordinator, Chemical Sciences) 531-2984 shaefner@bridgew.edu

           Dr. Teresa King (Coordinator, Psychology)  531-2742 tking1@bridgew.edu