Research Courses
Why not get 2-6 credits for participating in research or a creative project?
UAF Undergraduate students have multiple options for participating in research through designated courses.
Within each department, courses ending in 87, 88 and 92 - 99 are research courses.
Many departments offer additional courses, so please be sure to contact the department
in your field of interest to learn more.
All students wishing to take URSA F388 or URSA F488 MUST request permission from URSA Director Trent Sutton before registering for the class. You may contact Dr. Sutton at 907-474-7285 or tmsutton@alaska.edu.
| Course Information: |
FALL 2022 - CRN 76427 |
| Instructor: | Trent Sutton, PhD |
| Contact Information: | E: tmsutton@alaska.edu P: 907-474-7285 |
| Office Location: | URSA Office 301 Bunnell |
| Office Hours: | By appointment |
| Credits: | 2-6 |
Course Readings/Materials:
How to Mentor Undergraduate Researchers Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) https://www.cur.org/
Course Description:
Undergraduate research refers to a collaboration in original research and/or creative
activity between an undergraduate student and a faculty member, leading to work which
is presentable to scholars in the field. Research projects may be an element of the
faculty member's work or could be initiated by the student.
Undergraduate Research offers opportunities for student research in advanced topics
beyond typical undergraduate course offerings. Research areas range across all disciplines.
A substantial level of discipline-specific background, a level commensurate with having
achieved junior or senior standing, is assumed.
Enrolled students are required to create and present their research or creative project in a poster or display at Research and Creative Activity Day in April, as well as turn in a progress report at the end of the semester.
| Course Information: | FALL 2022 - CRN 76426 |
| Instructor: | Trent Sutton, PhD |
| Contact Information: | E: tmsutton@alaska.edu P: 907-474-7285 |
| Office Location: | URSA Office 301 Bunnell |
| Office Hours: | By appointment |
| Credits: | 2-6 |
Course Readings/Materials:
How to Mentor Undergraduate Researchers Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) https://www.cur.org/
Undergraduate research refers to collaboration in original research and/or creative activity between an undergraduate student and a faculty member, leading to work which is presentable to scholars in the field. Projects may be an element of the faculty member's work or could be initiated by the student.
Undergraduate Research offers opportunities for student research in advanced topics beyond typical undergraduate course offerings. A substantial level of discipline-specific background, a level commensurate with having achieved junior or senior standing, is assumed.
Enrolled students are required to create and present their research or creative project
in a poster or display at Research and Creative Activity Day in April, as well as
turn in a progress report at the end of the semester.
*URSA F388 and F488 are repeatable for credit. Students may take an URSA course a maximum of 2 times for up to 6 credits total.*
The University of Alaska Museum of the North is Alaska’s de facto repository of natural history specimens and cultural objects, and we house multiple world-class research collections.
Processing incoming specimens or objects and their associated data is a critical ongoing
set of highly specialized tasks. Some of these tasks, for example, turn organisms
into scientific specimens that are useful for questions in areas as diverse as evolution,
ecology, genetics, conservation, and the changing environment. Others process objects
of historic or contemporary culture or art for preservation and study of myriad questions
about humans, past and present.
Careful documentation and preservation are key parts of these processes, and these
courses involve hands-on training and working research experience with specimens and
objects and their associated data.
MRAP F288 and F488 - Museum Research Apprenticeship Program pairs students with faculty mentors at the UA Museum of the North to conduct original research. Students interested in this program may contact the following faculty for current opportunities.
1-2 Credits, Offered Fall and Spring
Provides opportunities for undergraduate student research or scholarship in museum-based
subjects not available in typical undergraduate courses. Students are required to
perform research tasks associated with specimens or objects and their associated data
and to turn in a final report. Opportunities range across several museum-based disciplines
(archaeology, botany, earth science, entomology, ethnology and history, film, fine
art, ichthyology, mammalogy, informal science education, and ornithology). Course
may be repeated. Instructor permission Student must contact a potential mentor before
enrolling to determine whether matching opportunities exist.
1-2 Credits, Offered Fall and Spring
Provides opportunities for advanced undergraduate student research or scholarship
in museum-based subjects not available in typical undergraduate courses, building
upon prior experience. Students are required to perform tasks associated with specimens,
objects, and associated data and to turn in a final report. Opportunities range across
several museum-based disciplines (archaeology, botany, earth science, entomology,
ethnology and history, film, fine art, ichthyology, mammalogy, informal science education,
and ornithology). Course repeatable to a maximum of 12 credits. Prerequisite: Permission
of instructor. Student must contact potential mentor before enrolling to determine
whether experience is sufficient and matching opportunities exist.
Patrick Druckenmiller
Museum Director, Museum of the North,
Associate Professor of Geology, Curator of Earth Science
Office: 030 Museum
Phone: 907-474-6954
Email: psdruckenmiller@alaska.edu
Mareca Guthrie
Assistant Faculty of Art, Curator of Fine Arts
Office: Museum
Phone: 907-474-5012
Email: mrguthrie@alaska.edu
Stefanie Ickert-Bond
Professor of Botany, Curator of Herbarium
Office: Museum 040
Phone: 907-474-6277
Email: smickertbond@alaska.edu
Angela Linn
Senior Collections Manager, Ethnology & History
Office: Museum
Phone: 907-474-1828
Email: ajlinn@alaska.edu
Andres Lopez
Associate Professor, Curator of Fishes and Marine Invertebrates
Office: Museum 044
Phone: 907-474-7828
Email: jalopez2@alaska.edu
Link Olson
Professor, Curator of Mammals
Office: 036 Museum
Phone: (907) 474-5998
Email: leolson@alaska.edu
Joshua Reuther
Associate Professor of Anthropology, Curator of Archaeology
Office: 042 Museum
Phone: 907-474-6945
Email: jreuther@alaska.edu
Derek Sikes
Professor of Entomology, Curator of Insects
Office: 032 Museum
Phone: 907-474-6278
Email: dssikes@alaska.edu
Kevin Winker
Professor, Curator of Birds
Office: 038 Museum
Phone: 907-474-7027
Email: kevin.winker@alaska.edu