- What is ACURA?
- Who coordinates the ACURA program?
- How do I find a faculty research mentor?
- What academic credit do I receive for participating in the program?
- How does this academic credit contribute toward graduation requirements?
- What is expected of me while I participate in the ACURA program?
- Will I receive a syllabus that details the specific requirements each semester?
- What is the usual time commitment to the program?
- How many students can work with an individual faculty member?
What is ACURA?
ACURA stands for Abington College Undergraduate Research Activities. It is a program that provides research experiences for Penn State Abington undergraduate students in all majors. It offers students the opportunity to work hands-on doing real research in all disciplines. It offers faculty the potential to share some of their research work with highly motivated students.
Who coordinates the ACURA program?
The ACURA program is coordinated by Dr. Leah Devlin, Interim Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, 119 Sutherland, 215-881-7560.
How do I find a faculty research mentor?
An informational meeting is usually held early in the fall semester to help match students with research mentors. Descriptions of research projects in many disciplines are distributed along with faculty contact information. Interested students can contact faculty members directly. Alternatively, students can work through Dr. Devlin to find an appropriate faculty match.
What academic credit do I receive for participating in the program?
Students receive one credit for work in the fall semester and two credits in the spring semester. It is listed on your transcript as 296 Independent Study credit. For example, if you are a history major, it would be listed as HIST 296. If you are a biology major, it would be listed as BIOL 296.
How does this academic credit contribute toward graduation requirements?
In most cases, the academic credit you earn through the ACURA program will count as part of your free electives. This credit will not usually take the place of the normal course work required in your major.
What is expected of me while I participate in the ACURA program?
Every academic year, the program begins in the fall semester. The standard format involves beginning work with a period of familiarization which includes assigned background readings, instruction in specialized laboratory techniques, and attendance at regularly scheduled meetings. From time to time, the student is asked to write short reports on what he/she has observed or to make presentations to a group. During the spring semester, work is ongoing, building toward a poster fair that usually takes place in April. All ACURA students are required to take part in the poster fair where they present the results of their work.
Will I receive a syllabus that details the specific requirements each semester?
All ACURA students will receive a syllabus from their faculty mentor detailing the requirements of their specific research project. Faculty mentors may include additional requirements to those described above. The student must fulfill all the requirements of the course in order to receive a grade.
What is the usual time commitment to the program?
Usually a student spends a minimum of 3 hours per week on the project. However, this can vary quite a bit depending on the discipline, the faculty mentor, and the individual project. You should talk with your faculty mentor to clearly establish the expectations for you and your project.
How many students can work with an individual faculty member?
This is quite variable. Some faculty mentors work with only a single student while others work with up to four or five students. This is another good question to ask a faculty member who you are interested in working with.
