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  2. Early Research Scholars Program
Early Research Scholars Program

The Early Research Scholars Program (ERSP) is a team-based research experience model for computer science students developed at University of California, San Diego. Over the course of two semesters, students will first learn about research fundamentals and observe an active research project under the guidance of the instructor, the central mentor and a research mentor. This work will culminate to a research proposal by the end of the first semester.  Students will then work under the research mentor in the second semester to complete their research project and present this work at the SCSU Undergraduate Research Conference.

ERSP Objectives

  • To excite participants through early exposure to research and the challenges facing CS researchers today.
  • To teach participants the fundamental skills involved in conducting CS research.
  • To create a diverse and supportive community within the CS department, with a particular focus on engaging students from groups currently underrepresented including women, African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and indigenous groups.

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Research Experience for Students

The Early Research Scholars Program, initially designed by UCSD, is a group-based, team-mentored research experience for students who are early to midway through the major program. Students will be placed into small groups then are matched with an active research project from the CS department to give students the opportunity to observe the research process in action. Then, students will propose and complete a related research project of their own that they will also present at the end of the program.

 

The ERSP program spans over two consecutive semesters, the fall term and then the spring term.

In the Fall term students will

  • Take a “CSC 398 Introduction to Research in the Discipline” course to learn and develop the skills and knowledge needed to begin a research project
  • Observe the operations and processes of a research group
  • Have weekly meetings with their research adviser mentor and the ERSP project adviser, in addition to interaction with CSC398 course instructor and peer mentors
  • Prepare and present a research proposal
  • Begin Initial work on their own research project.

Then, in the Spring term students will

  • Continue with observation/participation in research group meetings
  • Have weekly meetings with their research mentor, the ERSP project adviser, and peer mentors
  • Continue work on their research project
  • Prepare and present their research poster at the SCSU Undergraduate Research Conference

CSC 398 will count as an advanced major elective course towards your CS graduation requirements.  The skills and knowledge learned in CSC 398 can be helpful in upper-level major courses and in the CSC400 Senior Capstone Project Seminar. Research work in the spring semester can be proposed as a CSC 499 Independent Study.

The ERSP program is geared towards students earlier in the major program. The prerequisite for CSC 398 Introduction to Research in the Discipline is CSC 212 Data Structures.  For 2022-2023, the program guideline is to admit students with junior status or earlier, and enrolled as a CS major, a CS-related major, or a CS minor.

ERSP Program Goals

  1. To provide students in CS or CS-related majors or minors in their junior year or earlier in the program with hands-on research experience.
  2. To broaden access to university research to students who have historically faced barriers, whether these barriers may be financial obligations, lack of role models and community support, or other hardship or challenges.
  3. To promote and support a diverse Computer Science community along many dimensions including but not limited to gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, socio-economic situations, ability, sexual orientation, or challenges facing first-generation students attending college.

Apply to ERSP

Students interested in participating in the ERSP program should start applying during the Spring term of the year prior to program participation. This will allow time for application review and students to register into CSC398 in the Fall.

Apply Now

Please apply early to receive permission to register for CSC398.  The application closing date is August 15, 2022, or until CSC398 enrollment is filled.

Contact

For questions, please contact Dr. Winnie Yu at yuw1@southernct.edu.

 

This project is made possible by a sub-award from University of California, San Diego and through the support of the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DUE-1821521 and a Google Initiative.

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