Directed Research for 4th Year Students
Directed research in social sciences (SCS4150)
The Directed research in social sciences (SCS4150) is a three credits elective course. This course is an excellent opportunity for undergraduate students to participate individually or in a small groups to the activities of an ongoing research under the direction of a faculty member of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The research activities aim to:
- enrich the university experience and increase engagement in learning;
- enjoy direct supervision with a faculty member;
- clarify career goals and gain practical experience in the field of study;
- enhance the interests and autonomy for higher education;
- increase knowledge of research methodologies and processes;
- become aware of the knowledge limitations inherent in any social sciences research;
- learn about scientific communication.
Requests to participate
Only students enrolled full time in their fourth year specialized program of studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences with the profile corresponding to the following criteria may be eligible and will receive an invitation to participate. You will receive it by email if your profile matches the following criteria:
- you have at least 81 credits;
- you have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 8;
- you have never done this course.
To participate in the activities of an ongoing research, under the direction of a Faculty of Social Sciences member, it is necessary to:
- save the application form (.pdf), then fill it by stating the title of the research that interests you, writing the professor a 200-word essay that show how partipating in this research would enhaince the student experience and support your career development;
- send the form as an attachment to an email to experience@uOttawa.ca before the deadline;
- wait for approval by the Faculty, since places in this course are subject to quotas and your academic progress will be reviewed to confirm the relevance of this course to your studies and to ensure that it can be taken without compromising the other requirements of your program.
Sending the application form does not mean that you will be officially registered. If your application is approved, it will be sent to the professor and if he contacts you and you choose to work together, you will:
- change your course selection at the Office of the Vice-Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences in using the modification of registration form and specifying the title of the research and name of the professor you choose to work with and they will made your registration official, or please;
- let us know if you decide not to register to this course.
Note that you will not receive a schedule for this course and therefore it will not appear on Rabaska. Your schedule of research activities will be determined with the professor. You will have to:
- communicate as quickly as possible with the professor to arrange your research activities and work schedule;
- notify the Office of the Vice-Dean of Undergraduate Studies, within the given deadlines, if you decide to withdraw from this course.
Only members of the Faculty of Social Sciences can act as a professor-supervisor for one or up to four students per year. Professors, in collaboration with the Office of the Vice-Dean of Undergraduate Studies, are responsible for candidate selection and display of directed research opportunities before the deadline:
- directed research in social sciences for the Fall 2011;
- directed research in social sciences for the Winter 2012;
- directed research in social sciences for the Spring and the Summer 2012.
Criteria for approval
Only successful applications will receive an email notification. You can register for another course pending to your admission and change your registration subsequently. The applications will be accepted on the following criteria:
- description of the research project, relevance of learning activities and skills or qualifications specified;
- letter of motivation, language quality, consistency with the objectives of education and career;
- available resources.
Evaluation
Accordance with university regulations in effect, this course requires a minimum of two evaluations in line with professor's guidelines and syllabus. The work schedule as well as research activities are agreed with the professor for a minimum of 120 to 150 hours. All regulations and deadlines governing progress at the University apply in this case. For each final grade, will be paid $ 250 to research fund of the professor for a maximum of $ 1,000 per year. Thank you for taking the time to answer this short online questionnaire to gather feedback and appreciation.