Undergraduate Symposium

The UO Undergraduate Symposium celebrates the remarkable contributions our undergraduates make to research and other creative work in a wide range of disciplines. The second annual Symposium is scheduled for Thursday, May 24th 2012 and will serve as the centerpiece for the inaugural University of Oregon “Celebrate Undergraduate Achievement Week” (May 21st through May 25th), featuring a variety of events showcasing undergraduate accomplishments.

The Symposium aspires to engage undergraduates in the research mission of the University of Oregon by supporting the creation and dissemination of knowledge,  while inspiring younger undergraduates to seek out research opportunities and removing barriers to interdisciplinary education and discourse.

The Symposium enables undergraduates to  share their ideas, discoveries, and artistic expression with the campus and local community. The Symposium invites students to select their preferred style of presentation to best accommodate their projects. Held in the EMU in the mode of an academic conference, the Symposium will include poster sessions, oral presentations and exhibition space for performing and fine arts.

Last year, 62 student presenters representing 20 majors and four colleges participated in this exciting event.  We look forward to the involvement of even more students at the 2012 Symposium.

Dance Major Alyssa Gentry delivers her presentation, "American Sign Language as a Choreographic Inspiration and Directive for Dance"

Who participates in the Symposium?

The Symposium is open to all UO undergraduate students from across the disciplines and colleges who are performing  individual or collaborative research as part of course, thesis, major, or laboratory.  The Symposium is also an ideal venue for students of the performing and fine arts to share their work with a larger audience. Faculty mentors are also encouraged to nominate students for the Symposium.

What kind of research, projects or works are accepted?

Individual and group presentations–poster, oral, and creative works–are welcome.  The abstract submission allows teams to register multiple authors/presenters.

Poster Format: Students present research and creative work through visual media assembled on a poster board, or printed on a single poster, including such elements as photographs, text, maps, graphs, tables, and other sources.  Poster presenters will discuss their research findings and creative work with symposium attendees during their designated hour-long session, and may engage several different groups or individuals.  For details on poster preparation, printing, and installation please see the poster presenter guidelines.

Oral Presentation Format: Students present original research through 10-13 minute oral presentations accompanied by optional PowerPoint slides and/or physical exhibits.  The Undergraduate Symposium Review Committee will assemble students into panels of three presenters whose work shares a common theme or question.  Oral presentations sessions will reserve 15-20 minutes for discussion after the conclusion of the presentations.  A chair will introduce the panelists and facilitate the discussion.  Short talks like these need to be prepared carefully, but presenters are encouraged to deliver them in a conversational style, rather than by reading a paper.  PowerPoint slides should be submitted in advance.  Please visit the oral presentation guidelines for details.

Creative Works Format: Students exhibit or present art and performance of all genres and media — from music and dance to film, sculpture, and painting. Students will have a desginated time to perform or present their work. Students submitting creative work abstracts may indicate the necessary equipment and materials for the presentation or exhibiting of their work e.g. a projector for a film, floor space or staging for a performance, or wall space for photographs.

Jane Irungu, Associate Director of OMAS asks Biology Major Taylor Wilson about her research.

How can I get involved?

Individual students or groups must submit abstracts of their work for review between March 1st and April 20th, 2012 via the Undergraduate Symposium website.

To assist students with preparation for the Symposium, three types of workshops will be offered February through May: abstract writing, oral presentation and poster design. Please see the full schedule for these events by clicking on the Workshop Schedules tab and view sample abstracts on the Write an Abstract tab above. Faculty facilitating these workshops will also be available to provide individualized instruction.

A Symposium RSVP luncheon honoring the undergraduate presenters and their faculty mentors will be held in the EMU ballroom with a keynote delivered by Kimberly Espy, Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School.

Organizers

• Karen Sprague, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies
• Audrey Cramer, Director, Academic Enrichment, Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence
• Kevin Hatfield, Assistant Director, Academic Initiatives, University Housing

The Undergraduate Symposium is sponsored by the Division of Undergraduate Studies, the Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence, University Housing, the Robert D. Clark Honors College, the UO Libraries, the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity, and the Division of Student Affairs