Research Rookies Program
The Research Rookies program is an opportunity for students with little or no research experience to learn what research looks like in their majors and on the CSUMB campus. This program is perfect for students at any level who are motivated to get involved in research but just don't know where to start!
Along the way, Rookies will be able to meet current UROCers doing research, talk to faculty about their experiences in research, explore what research looks like in your field, and much more. Participants can meet all the interesting requirements of the program at their own pace within the one semester time frame and according to their own interests.
What do I have to do?
There are nine required activities that you must complete in order to finish the program. There are many optional activities that you can complete as well if you would like some additional training and experience. Some examples of the activities you will complete are:
- Meeting with current UROC researchers and scholars
- Looking for research opportunities that interest you
- Reading a research article
- Participating in a Citizen Science project
Getting Started
Research Rookies is a self-paced, zero unit course taught on Canvas. Any current Canvas user can self-enroll in the program by following the link below. You will have one semester to complete the program.
Next Steps
Once you have signed up in the Canvas course you will need to complete all nine of the required activities. These activities are designed to introduce you to the world of Undergraduate Research, and connect you with other student researchers and CSUMB faculty. We also suggest that you also complete at least three of the optional activities. The optional activities are open to anyone, and you can complete them even if you do not plan to apply to other UROC programs. However, these activities are designed to help you dive a little deeper into undergraduate research.
After completing the nine required activities, make a UROC consultation to come speak with our staff about your next steps for getting involved in research and to receive your certificate of completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
This program is targeted for first-year and transfer students - or anyone who is brand new to the CSUMB campus or research and is interested in being a part of the research community during your time as an undergraduate. If you are motivated, curious, and want to get the inside scoop on what research means in your field, become a Research Rookie!
There is no GPA requirement.
Once you finish all the requirements of the Research Rookies program, you'll receive a Research Rookies Certificate of Completion. Receiving this certificate will demonstrate that you have the commitment, curiosity, personal motivation, and networking skills to be a successful undergraduate researcher.
Several of the requirements of the Research Rookies program are designed to expose you to aspects of the research process that undergraduates don't even think about until they start doing research. By completing these requirements before you even start research, you'll be more competitive and prepared than the rest of your peers! Once you begin your search for an undergraduate research opportunity -- with the help of the UROC community that you will now be a part of -- you can share the experiences and skills that you have developed along the way with your potential research mentor and land a research placement as soon as possible.
The Research Rookies program is self-paced and you have one semester to complete the program. Students who complete the program in the Fall semester or by the first week of May in the Spring semester will be recognized in UROC's annual Year End Celebration.
Yes! Because Research Rookies is self paced, you can sign up in the course at any time. The deadline for completing the program remains the same however, regardless of when you start, so please keep that in mind when starting the program.
Yes! You can finish the program at any point in the semester. If you finish early, just make a UROC Research Rookies consultation to get your certificate and start looking at your next steps!