Arts and Sciences TURC Program


TULSA UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH CHALLENGE (TURC)
in the
College of Arts and Sciences

 

Introduction

The TURC program in the College of Arts and Sciences has a structure that differs from that in other colleges, reflecting the unique nature of research in the disciplines of Arts and Sciences. Nevertheless, the goal of TURC remains the same across the university: to foster original and intellectually significant research, creative projects, and community service among undergraduates. In pursuit of this goal, TURC is based on the relationship between a committed undergraduate and a faculty mentor who can help the student to conceptualize, carry out, and disseminate his or her research or creative endeavor while also providing meaningful community service.

The program is built around partnerships between undergraduate students and faculty mentors who work together to propose research or creative endeavors in areas of shared interest. Such projects may be of limited duration and scope—for example, a TURC scholar and a faculty mentor might propose to work together for a semester to fully develop a research project idea. Or, they might collaborate on summarizing and writing up the results of a previous project for presentation at a conference. Projects can also be more comprehensive and ambitious. For example, a student and a member of the education faculty might propose a year-long study of the effectiveness of an early childhood education program that has been implemented in a local school. While the team will have to re-apply for support each semester, the overall project need not be completed within a semester’s time.

In a recent TURC project, for example, a sophomore student interested in the intersections of mental health and justice issues designed a questionnaire to be submitted to law enforcement officials in rural areas. The survey sought to gather information about these officials’ attitudes towards mentally ill persons and the appropriateness of jail time for non-violent offenses committed by mentally ill persons. Together with his TURC faculty mentor, this student was able to submit a paper for publication in a professional journal - based on his research - during his senior year.

Any partnership between at least one enrolled student and at least one member of the College of Arts and Sciences Faculty is eligible to submit a proposal for a TURC project. Funding typically consists of a $450 per semester stipend for the student and other research-related costs. Funds are provided on a semester-by-semester basis, however long term projects are encouraged so long as participants can demonstrate progress toward stated objectives.

Evaluation of TURC Project Applications

Applications will be evaluated by the A&S TURC Advisory Board and by the TURC administrative staff according to the following criteria:

  • Project reflects careful planning and realistic, clearly defined objectives and time line for completion;
  • Project will engage undergraduate student(s) in intellectually or creatively significant endeavors;
  • Proposal is written by the student;
  • Application form is filled out completely;
  • Budget is appropriate and properly detailed;
  • Student has an appropriate academic record and background for the undertaking;
  • Application includes a viable plan for community service;
  • Project is oriented toward producing tangible outcomes or products that will demonstrate student accomplishment, e.g., student will participate in the annual Student Research Colloquium and make one or more presentations at an off-campus site, such as a high school AP class or local, regional, national or international forum/conference;
  • Student will apply for one or more nationally competitive scholarships; 
  • Project is designed to be professionally responsible and compliant with TU policies;
  • If faculty mentor and/or student has received TURC funding in the past, they have submitted reports that document achievement of goals or explanation as to why goals were not achieved.

TURC Funding

TURC funding and support may be requested to support a variety of activities, including:

  • Room and board for students who need to live on campus during the summer session; 
  • Tuition for coursework required by TURC projects may be available, based upon need (contact Nona Charleston for more information);
  • Stipend for students during the summer, fall or spring;
  • Direct research costs not available from other sources;
  • Travel and registration costs for conferences;
  • Stipend for faculty mentors during the summer;
  • Reduction in faculty teaching loads.

Participation in Student Research Colloquium

Students who have participated in TURC for more than one semester are expected to present the results of their research or creative endeavor at the University of Tulsa Student Research Colloquium, which is held annually during the spring semester. Failure to meet this expectation may render the student ineligible for further TURC support.

Application Deadlines

There are two application deadlines for Arts & Sciences TURC projects during the academic year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Typically these will be the fifth Friday of the Fall and Spring semesters. For those students who have already been admitted to the TURC program, there is also an application deadline for the summer program. Each semester, specific dates/deadlines are sent to students and faculty at their TU email addresses.

A&S Student Application Form


Arts & Sciences TURC Advisory Board

The Arts & Sciences TURC Advisory Board is chaired by the Director of the A&S TURC Program and includes several faculty members, a student representative, and the University Director of the TURC Program. Faculty members include representatives from departments that have been actively involved in prior years.

Appeals Policy

Decisions about admission and continuation in the TURC program are made by two committees which carefully consider and discuss every TURC proposal. If you disagree with the decision that is made about your proposal, you may appeal for re-consideration only under certain circumstances. Specifically, rejected proposals are eligible for appeal when it can be shown that a procedural error or bias led to a flawed process of deliberation on an application. An example of an error might be that your application was not copied correctly by someone in the TURC office, with the result that an element of your application was missing when in fact you had submitted a complete application. An example of a bias would be that someone on the TURC admissions board had a conflict of interest or dispute with a student applicant or her mentor and was therefore unable to provide objective input on the application. Simple disagreements with the judgments made by TURC are not grounds for appeal. For example, if a proposal is rejected because of an unclear method of research, a student cannot appeal by asserting that the research method is in fact sufficiently clear. All decisions related to TURC are also eligible for appeal under the University’s “Academic Appeals” policy described in the student handbook. In this case, appeal would be made to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Questions?

Frequently asked questions by students .

Questions about the program should be directed to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Tom Benediktson (Dale-Benediktson@utulsa.edu)