Research
Undergraduate Research at University College Maastricht
The undergraduate research projects at UCM are part of a more broadly defined project PEERS, in which UCM explores new ways of research and learning at the undergraduate level. PEERS is developing along three, equally important axes: student-student collaboration; student-staff collaboration; and collaboration between academe and the ‘outside world’.
Within that broader context, the overall objective of the undergraduate research project is to prepare students for graduate research by introducing them to and educating them in the relevant skills and knowledge. The project emphasizes the ability to, individually and in collaboration with others, identify and formulate academic problems, and to select and apply relevant research methodology accordingly. In addition to developing skills and knowledge proper, the project also aims at reinforcing the awareness of how academic work relates to society: how it may respond to trends and issues in society, and how it may initiate new ideas.
Small groups of students (≤6) conduct research under the guidance of a senior researcher of one of UM departments, in conjunction with a UCM staff member. They act as a group, but engage in individual work as well. During the project, specific skills are addressed at the appropriate time: e.g. problem analysis, writing proposal at the beginning, followed by data selection and analysis, towards reporting and presenting at the end. This is done by the researcher leading the project as well as through centrally arranged lectures/workshops for all participating students in all projects.
