Directed Readings (3900)

Directed Reading allows students to work intensively, one-on-one with a faculty member or graduate student. The goal is to develop rigorous study of a problem area in ecology so that a student will gain an understanding of the main problems, methods and results of an ecological subject, to think critically, and to organize material into a coherent body of knowledge. The Directed Reading may be on any subject in ecology of mutual interest to the faculty member and student. Depending on the subject matter, a Directed Reading may be co-taught by two faculty members.

Ecology Internship (4940)

The non-traditional format provides 2-4 hours of credit for a supervised work experience with a public agency, non-profit environmental organization, UGA professor, or industry concerning ecological topics. The internship allows a student to acquire techniques, practice developing skills, and learn how a project or organization functions. In this respect, an internship goes beyond a simple job; it is a professional learning experience.

Student forms: Student Application, Mid-Semester Evaluation, End of Semester Evaluation

Supervisor Forms: Supervisor Application, Mid-Semester Evaluation, End-of-Semester Evaluation

Independent Research (4960R or 4970R or 4980R)

The purpose of research credit is to give students an opportunity to learn how research is carried out through assisting in the laboratory and field, by attending group meetings of professors and students, with library research, and the development and completion of a project under a professor’s direction. Research is different from an internship in that research is ordinarily done under the direct supervision of a professor in the professor’s laboratory or field site and provides the student with experience as a research scientist.

Requirements/Student form: Application Form

Suggested Reading: “From lectures to the lab: three steps to becoming an undergraduate researcher” published in Nature (article by: James Ankrum).

Undergraduate Research Thesis: Senior Thesis or Final Project (4990R)

Students will apply understanding of the discipline to identify or shape the research question and apply skills and techniques learned to complete the research project. Students will gather data, synthesize relevant literature, analyze and interpret data. Students will demonstrate in writing the contribution of their work to the discovery and interpretation of knowledge significant to their field of study. Students will present their research in the form of a properly formatted, professional, and rigorous thesis document or another appropriate professional capstone product. Additionally, students can orally present their research to faculty and peers during a scheduled time. Students will receive feedback from the faculty member on the overall execution of their thesis project, the written thesis, and their optional presentation.