Advanced Research and Creativity in Honors (ARCH) Program

0 credit – One Semester

• For those students who are looking for an introduction to research and want to get their feet wet in a research lab
• Requirements:
  • Apprentices will assist in a pre-established lab
  • Learn the basics of research
    • The exact requirements will vary by lab
  • Requires weekly log of what they did and what they learned
• Submission of a final reflection (about five pages) that may consider the following questions/issues:
  • Detail the full course and all of the material covered (about 1 page…what did you do all semester long)
  • Where do you plan to go from here?
  • Take away points
  • What was something that you thought you knew before but were wrong about?
  • Things you would have done differently
  • Things that the lab/mentor/HC should do differently
  • What was the most challenging aspect and how did you overcome it?
  • What was the easiest aspect and why do you think it came so easily to you?
  • Must be substantive review of the experience in the lab

0-3 credits per semester – One Year

• For those majors that do not offer a thesis option, or for students who want to conduct rigorous research
  • This option is for students who are researching in the sciences (either natural or social).
  • This option requires rigorous and extensive writing, original data collection, some background in stats research methods.
  • The first semester requires writing a literature review and proposal.
  • The second semester requires writing a thesis and presenting your research at the Undergraduate Research Conference at FIU (URFIU).
  • Sections of a thesis include: Introduction, Background, Methods, Results, and Discussion (or some variation thereof, depending on the discipline).

0 credit – One Year

• If your major offers a thesis option for “honors in the major,” the Honors College will take the work that you do here and count it toward ARCH
  • Engineering students may use the Senior Design Project here
• The Honors College and the ARCH program will offer direction to the faculty and students
• Students are required to meet with faculty to establish parameters and requirements, as well as their academic advisor in the major to ensure that they meet all the necessary pre-requisites for thesis in the major
  • Identify areas of support for both faculty and students

0-3 credits per semester – One Semester

• For those students who are doing a creative project (humanities or art) or who can commit only one semester to a research project.
• Students will learn the fundamentals of the research process, conduct a literature review and write a project report.
• The ARCH Project can cover several written or creative activities, including but not limited to,
  • White paper, position paper, extended literature review, theory paper, performance, etc.
• Expectations include substantive and rigorous writing; however, no actual data collection is required.
• Students may request to take this section for a 2nd semester with a different topic.

ARCH is open to all disciplines, because research, creative works, and innnovation are everywhere and for everyone!

When choosing your topic:

• Decide and analyze your research interests (You can choose one that is aligned with or outside of your major).
  • Particular class topics that caught your interest.
  • Current or historical moments that inspired you to read more or make your own work.
  • Old projects in high school, prior college/university, or in life that you want to expand.
• Review FIU websites with research labs, faculty, publications, creative/innovative works, and more for inspiration (Check out FIU Discovery here).
• Create or update your resume as well as cover letter before applying for research opportunities.
• Identify and decide faculty or teams whose work align with your interests.
• You can schedule a meeting with Undergraduate Research Assistant Director Allen Varela (alvarel@fiu.edu).

• Review the incredible research as well as works from FIU faculty on their homepage, the Find A Mentor directory here, or profile on FIU Discovery here.
  
• Approach faculty after class or email them.
  • Identify faculty whose work or activity interest you.
  • Read 1 or 2 publications from faculty to discover:
    • Research interests
    • Goals/objectives
    • Techniques/Methods
  • When emailing a prospective faculty mentor:
    • Begin with introducing yourself directly to the faculty mentor (Principal Investigator or P.I.) and the reason for your email (I.e., you want to discuss the opportunity to complete research or creative work with them.)
    • Mention specific details about their work or activity (Cite any publications that you read) and state why they interest you.
    • Describe your goals and explain why you want them as your mentor or contribute to their work (Faculty look for dependable students highly motivated to learn).
    • State your plans during the timeline of when you want to complete an independent work or contribute to the faculty mentor’s activity (You can provide your class schedule as well as how many hours that you’ll dedicate to the work).
    • Attach your resume or a pre-proposal of your independent work describing:
      • Your idea
      • Methods or techniques to complete work
      • Main goal or objective (Working hypothesis if applicable)
      • Impact on society or relevance of work
    • Do NOT write a generic email!

You can apply to ARCH with this work or activity. ARCH will not assign a separate topic or mentor. This is your opportunity to complete independent work or gain experience aligned with your interests.

A non-Honors College course where you will complete a thesis, capstone, design project can be eligible for the Honors in the Major ARCH pathway. If you’re not sure whether it can count in ARCH, email arch@fiu.edu with the following:

• Subject Line:
  • ARCH Course Request
• Body of email
  • Full Name
  • Panther ID
  • Course Code (Subject Prefix and Catalog Number)
  • Course Description
  • 1 – 2 sentences about the final assignment (If unsure of final assignment, email your non-Honors College course instructor)

• Recall previous topics in class, work, or life that aligned with your interests.
  • Any that captivated you to read more.
  • You may have done research or made your own work in life (Creating a new social media blog, reviewing current/historical issues that impacted your life, a science fair project, a drawing, business plan for a new company, and more!) that can be expanded in ARCH.
  • Dedicate time to read research or works from FIU faculty that grab your attention (You may find a wide range of innovative work and research everywhere!)
  • Previous research experience is NOT REQUIRED to get started on your own work or apply for a research opportunity.

You can search for opportunities off-campus:

• Check out Pathways to Science here where you can search for research opportunities in ALL areas around the world!
• Find research opportunities sponsored by the National Science of Foundation (NSF) here.
• Email Assistant Director Allen Varela at alvarel@fiu.edu.
• NEVER let a rejection or lack of responses stop you from starting on your independent work or applying for opportunities!  Keep trying, looking, and you will find that opportunity!