Office of Undergraduate Research

Online Course Series

The Office of Undergraduate Research hosts online courses for prospective and current undergraduate researchers. The names of the courses are linked to their Course Insights' webpage for more information and a link to register for that specific class. Each GS course is cross-listed with an ILS course. The course syllabus will be the same, but you can decide which course number you would like to register for.

Want to register for a class, but it is after the open registration time? This Registrar website demonstrates how you can request to add a class.

GS19501/ILS180

This course is for prospective Purdue undergraduate researchers who are interested in conducting undergraduate research or creative endeavors. Purdue students who have not already started an independent research project with a research mentor will learn valuable skills to market themselves to individuals and research programs. Throughout the course, students will develop components for a final application packet to submit to a research team or program they choose.

Course Learning Outcomes:

  1. Identify professional and personal goals sought from an undergraduate research experience
  2. Learn research skills such as assessing various types of literature
  3. Utilize online and in-person resources and programs to assist in locating and applying to undergraduate research experiences
  4. Evaluate research programs/projects to determine how they fit within personal and professional goals
  5. Create and submit an application/proposal including a resumé and personal statement for research programs/projects

Spring

January-May: CRN 23139 (meets with ILS180 CRN 16928)

GS29501/ILS280

This course is for current Purdue undergraduate researchers to hone skills necessary for successfully reflecting on and completing the experience. During this course, students will utilize their research experience to apply skills such as managing time with a research project, communicating your research, utilizing Purdue Libraries' resources, and providing feedback to peer researchers. Students will deliver and critique research elevator pitches about their own project.

Course Learning Outcomes:

  1. Communicate research to various audiences with a research elevator pitch and a research abstract
  2. Provide constructive feedback and interact with peers and apply comments to your work
  3. Define skills/attributes from your undergraduate research experience
  4. Develop and expand a network of researchers within your unit and among other peer researchers’
  5. Reflect on and apply transferable skills necessary to be a successful undergraduate researcher

Spring

January-May: CRN 23138 (meets with ILS280 CRN 16932)

GS39501/ILS380

This course is for current Purdue undergraduate researchers to build upon the previous course and focus on research data collection, analysis, and communication for current Purdue undergraduate researchers. During this course, students will learn and discuss various forms of data and collection practices. Students will develop their own academic poster to present their research project's data and implications.

Course Learning Outcomes:

  1. Learn about quantitative and qualitative research methods and discuss how to utilize both in a research project
  2. Create and present an academic poster applying data visualization best practices
  3. Reflect on and apply transferable skills of an undergraduate researcher for future success

NOTE: You must complete GS29501/ILS280 to register for GS39501/ILS380 or receive instructor permission.

Spring

January-May: CRN 23140 (meets with ILS380 CRN 16935)

GS49501/ILS480

This course is for any student to focus on continuing their education in graduate or professional school.  During this course, students will learn and discuss the various phases of identifying, selecting, applying to and funding graduate or professional school programs.  Students will also gain a deeper comprehension of the qualities and skills that make research mentors effective while developing skills they will need to be successful mentees and peer mentors.  Students will conduct research to identify potential programs of interest and develop a statement of purpose. Students do not have to take the previous courses to take this course. Preferred for junior and senior students.

Course Learning Outcomes:

  1. Categorize graduate or professional school qualities that fit skills and meet professional needs
  2. Identify qualities and skills necessary to act effectively as a research mentor and as a research mentee to a future graduate/professional advisor
  3. Create a statement of purpose to include in graduate/professional school applications
  4. Reflect on and apply transferable skills of an undergraduate researcher for future success

Spring

January-May: CRN 14291 (meets with ILS480 CRN 16934)

ILS495

This course is for current or past Purdue undergraduate researchers who want to learn how to serve as peer mentors to undergraduate researchers early in their careers. This course will train students on how to create mutually beneficial and productive mentorships. This course will provide research-based best practices for mentoring students. This course is especially useful for those students who enjoy supporting peer researchers or plan to continue into more formal mentorship roles as a senior undergraduate researcher, graduate student, or research supervisor in academia or industry.

Course Learning Outcomes:

  1. Explore multiple strategies for effective mentoring with case studies, discussions, and readings
  2. Learn how to transition from a researcher to a peer mentor
  3. Create a mentoring philosophy statement
  4. Develop preparatory steps for effective mentorship dissolution

Spring

January-May: CRN 25764