Undergraduate Research and Directed Activities

Directed Research and Directed Activities

The Department of Communication Studies makes a strong commitment to undergraduate research. Courses like COMM 3994 Directed Research or COMM 3993 Directed Study are avenues for course-credit research.

COMM 3994

Directed Research, COMM 3994, seeks to enhance your research skills. COMM 3994 requires that you assist faculty members or graduate students in their ongoing research project. Directed Research requires you to work three hours per semester week for each registered credit. You may enroll for a maximum of 3 credits per semester, which will require you to work nine weekly hours on the research project. If you would like to be a research assistant and help with research, please follow these steps:

1. Access the Department of Communication Studies’ list of ongoing research projects that need research assistants. (opens Google document)
2. Set up and complete an interview with the researcher. During the interview, you and the researcher should discuss expectations for COMM 3994 and go over the Directed Activity Planning Guide. (opens Google document)

3. Once you and the researcher have decided to work together, you need to complete the online Directed Activity Contract. You need to start this contract. Once the contract is approved, a permission number will be sent to you so that you can register for COMM 3994.

COMM 3993

COMM 3993 is the class to take if you are interested in pursuing your own research. In order to conduct independent research, you must find a faculty member willing to act as your mentor and guide through the project. After reaching an agreement with a faculty member, fill out the directed Activity contract online. Complete the contract before you register for the class. Here is more information on the Directed Activity contract. (PDF)

COMM 3996

COMM 3996 allows you to earn credit while contributing as an undergraduate teaching assistant (TA) in an undergraduate course. In order to earn directed instruction credit, you must first successfully complete the undergraduate course, then find a faculty member willing to work with you as a TA in their course. After reaching an agreement with a faculty member, fill out a Directed Activity contract. Complete the contract before you register for the class. Here is more information on the Directed Activity contract. (PDF)

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

We also encourage you to apply for the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). This program, sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research, supports research projects dedicated to fulfilling the University of Minnesota’s commitment to research and expanding the store of human knowledge and expression. If you successfully apply, you will receive a stipend to support your research, and you'll have an opportunity to present your research at various university symposia.

If you're accepted into UROP, you will be mentored by one of nearly 3,000 diverse faculty members, and you will meet other students who share a passion for discovery about the human condition. UROP can be used to help you achieve practical goals like your senior capstone project or put you on a path to a career. If you desire to pursue a program with UROP, please consult our undergraduate advisor or visit the Office of Undergraduate Research for more information.