What is a UROP?

A UROP is an opportunity for an undergraduate student to take part in an existing research project. The student does not propose a project but joins one, works on it, and reflects on it.

The student works with a supervisor and usually in a team.

Activities include:

A student can only work on one UROP during his/her candidature in NUS.

Workload, credit, grades?

A UROP involves a minimum of 130 hours, accumulated during one period working on the research project. This may be over one semester or two, or during the vacation. (If it is during the vacation, summer term fees will apply.)

A UROP is worth 4 MC.

It is graded like any other module, and since it is credited to the student's Major, it cannot be taken S/U. The grading is done by the research leader / supervisor.

Assessment

Assessment has three components:

Contribution to the project - 30%. This will include the efficiency with which tasks are completed and contributions to ongoing discussions, formal and/or informal, about the direction of the project.

A journal - 20%. This is a reflective record of the research and the student's involvement in it, read by and discussed with the supervisor.

An essay of 8-12 double-lined sides - 50%. This should reflect upon and critically assess the research to which the student has contributed. It should evaluate the success of the research using the norms and expectations of the discipline, and look ahead to possible future developments.

How are students recruited?

Students can be recruited either by invitation from a research leader or by application for an advertised UROP.

In the first case, the research leader takes the initiative. In the second, the student needs to check the list below.

Students who are choosing the topics offered by Asia Research Institute are to obtain endorsement from their major departments to ensure that it can be used to fulfil their major requirements.

Please submit the completed form FASS 115-10: FASS Undergraduate Research Opportunity to the department offering the UROP by week 2 of the semester.

How are students selected?

Final selection is at the discretion of the research leader.

However, the student must have declared a Major, completed a minimum of 24 MC in that Major, have a CAP of at least 3.5, and be able to benefit from the experience of the UROP.

How are UROPs Vetted?

Each UROP is vetted by the department offering it. The research leader provides the department curriculum committee with two paragraphs, one describing the research project and one describing the student's role in it.

List of Topics

Click here for the list of Undergraduate Research Opportunity (UROP) offered by the respective Departments or Institutes.