Online students
The OURS program recognizes that research experiences are critical for online student success.
The OURS program helps ASU Online students grow academically and professionally by providing group-based research opportunities and mentorship. Research experiences are critical for students pursuing graduate-level programs, and students gain valuable technical and soft skills through participating in research that will set them apart in the competitive job market.
Although I am pursuing a degree in science, it was the first time I actually thought of myself as a scientist, and I know a lot of the others shared that feeling. This research experience showed me that there are many ways to contribute to this field and that every contribution is meaningful because there is always more to learn.
Louisa Brill
OURS scholarship recipient
BS in biological sciences (genetics, cell and developmental biology)
Research opportunities
The OURS Program serves ASU Online students who are pursuing degrees offered within The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Each research experience is unique — make sure to read carefully about the requirements and time commitment before applying for a position.
All programs
This course will foster interdisciplinary collaboration within a small group of ASU Online students who will participate in a mini research project regarding the conservation and evolution of traditional and Indigenous foodways, such as the well-studied varieties of the Mediterranean diet.
Hands on experience with modeling, computation and analyses of applied mathematics and physics problems including cancer models, weather models, environmental and geophysical fluid dynamics, numerical methods, machine learning and mathematical biology. The REU can be completely remote, if the students are local, they can meet with mentors on campus on mutual convenient times.
The Arizona Cancer Evolution Center (ACE) is excited to recruit undergraduate students to its ACE Scholars research program for Spring 2023. The ACE Scholars program aims to recruit motivated undergraduates from a diverse set of backgrounds and skillsets to pursue research projects at the intersection of cancer biology and evolutionary theory.
The All of Us Research Program is a partnership between the National Institutes of Health and the National Hispanic Medical Association. It aims to improve healthcare through research and make it more accessible to underrepresented communities. As a researcher, you would have access to Surveys, Journals, and Medical Data stored in this massive and collaborative database.
Using mixed qualitative methods in five communities, the Arizona Youth Identity Project examines how rapidly changing economic, demographic, and political dynamics shape young adults’ political identities and political participation.
The Memory & Attention Control Laboratory will be hosting three weekly virtual laboratory experiences. The three experiences revolve around research being conducted in the laboratory on the topics of attention, retrospective memory, and prospective memory.
Join a team of researchers using CT scans of lizard skeletons to understand the evolution of locomotion, habitat use, and sensory behavior (more information can be found here). This specific research experience is part of a major NSF-funded research project about functional morphology and involves collecting and analyzing morphological data from 3D CT scans.
The ASU Online students in this experience will use web cameras to observe honeybee colonies and analyze important traits of self-organized and highly efficient societies.
This is an innovative research opportunity that include -
In this experience, students will engage with Dr. Elizabeth Langland and Dr. Gaymon Bennett as they develop a course on responsible A.I. The Lincoln Center has received a Google sponsored grant to work on this issue.
Students will learn about a key component of astronomy research: accessing observations and data analysis, particularly how to utilize open access astronomical data sets.
Have you ever wondered how the human genome is analyzed? By enrolling in BIO 439: Computing for Research (Fall Session A), you'll learn command line programming skills as applied to DNA sequences.
The Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital is one of the world’s premier research centers devoted to development and application of advanced biomedical imaging technologies.
ASU affiliated faculty members Dr. Robert Barry & Dr. Lilla Zollei will be hosting ASU Online students for spring 2023 semester.
This hybrid, course-based undergraduate research experience will engage up to 15 online history majors in a hands-on archival project rooted in the physical holdings of historical records in ASU’s Hayden Library and the Arizona Historical Society Archives in Tempe.
Join us in shaping our inclusive, interplanetary future! The ASU Interplanetary Initiative is looking for students from all majors to get involved with our interdisciplinary research projects.
Introduction to Data for Urban Planners and Geographers is designed to be a gateway to research for students in our online undergraduate degree programs, aimed at students in their sophomore or junior-equivalent years of undergraduate study.
This research experience gives ASU Online students an introduction to the increasingly popular and interdisciplinary field of data science that applies knowledge and insights to solve problems in various application domains. Working in a small group, students will conduct Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) on authentic educational research data.
The Learning & Development Lab seeks to recruit undergraduate ASU Online students to engage in a 15-week research opportunity examining the mechanisms of word learning and bilingualism across development.
This undergraduate, action research experience engages online students who take part in our Courts & Society (JUS308) – 3 credit hour course in Fall 2022 session A.
Community organizations play an important role in supporting children and families; however, they are often limited in the resources that they have to do so. This research experience is your chance to support a community organization and help make a difference for not only the organization, but for the people it serves!
Students will work as a team directly with me to complete two key research assignments (one in the first half of the term, and another in the second half).
In Spring 2023, students will be contributing to a new research project that asks how Iranian students’ experience in the United States impacts their political and religious views.
The Public History Research Workshop will offer online students the chance to learn and apply concrete Public History skills. The three-day workshop will include in-person training sessions (10/7 - 10/9) and group research break out meetings culminating in a project proposal.
As a group, students will conduct a literature review; and then design, carry out, and analyze an experiment in the field of photovoltaics using a remotely-operated tabletop scanning electron microscope. Students will then individually present their experience and results as an outreach activity in a local K-12 classroom.
Prior to commencing the research work, students will complete lessons on telescopes/digital imaging/image analysis tools. The goal of the research analysis is to search for stellar and brown dwarf companions to young, nearby stars.
This course will foster small-group collaboration with other online language students to participate in a mini research project regarding technology enhanced language learning (TELL). Each research group will be responsible for determining an appropriate topic, reviewing literature, collecting data, analyzing data, and writing a proposal.
This experience connects students with the Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies at San Jose State University. The Center maintains an archive and the extensive Cox-Manville Bibliography, which students can work with remotely.
Online research experiences in biology often focus on data analyses and exclude traditional forms of the in person research experience, including idea generation, data collection, personal collaboration, and even live animal/organism observation.
This is an online Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (oCURE) where students engage in a real biology education research project with the intent of publishing their findings. We build off research in my lab, which examines the relationship between biology learning environments and student anxiety and depression.
Spring 2023
This course will foster interdisciplinary collaboration within a small group of ASU Online students who will participate in a mini research project regarding the conservation and evolution of traditional and Indigenous foodways, such as the well-studied varieties of the Mediterranean diet.
The Arizona Cancer Evolution Center (ACE) is excited to recruit undergraduate students to its ACE Scholars research program for Spring 2023. The ACE Scholars program aims to recruit motivated undergraduates from a diverse set of backgrounds and skillsets to pursue research projects at the intersection of cancer biology and evolutionary theory.
Using mixed qualitative methods in five communities, the Arizona Youth Identity Project examines how rapidly changing economic, demographic, and political dynamics shape young adults’ political identities and political participation.
Join a team of researchers using CT scans of lizard skeletons to understand the evolution of locomotion, habitat use, and sensory behavior (more information can be found here). This specific research experience is part of a major NSF-funded research project about functional morphology and involves collecting and analyzing morphological data from 3D CT scans.
The ASU Online students in this experience will use web cameras to observe honeybee colonies and analyze important traits of self-organized and highly efficient societies.
This is an innovative research opportunity that include -
In this experience, students will engage with Dr. Elizabeth Langland and Dr. Gaymon Bennett as they develop a course on responsible A.I. The Lincoln Center has received a Google sponsored grant to work on this issue.
Students will learn about a key component of astronomy research: accessing observations and data analysis, particularly how to utilize open access astronomical data sets.
The Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital is one of the world’s premier research centers devoted to development and application of advanced biomedical imaging technologies.
ASU affiliated faculty members Dr. Robert Barry & Dr. Lilla Zollei will be hosting ASU Online students for spring 2023 semester.
This research experience gives ASU Online students an introduction to the increasingly popular and interdisciplinary field of data science that applies knowledge and insights to solve problems in various application domains. Working in a small group, students will conduct Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) on authentic educational research data.
The Learning & Development Lab seeks to recruit undergraduate ASU Online students to engage in a 15-week research opportunity examining the mechanisms of word learning and bilingualism across development.
Students will work as a team directly with me to complete two key research assignments (one in the first half of the term, and another in the second half).
In Spring 2023, students will be contributing to a new research project that asks how Iranian students’ experience in the United States impacts their political and religious views.
As a group, students will conduct a literature review; and then design, carry out, and analyze an experiment in the field of photovoltaics using a remotely-operated tabletop scanning electron microscope. Students will then individually present their experience and results as an outreach activity in a local K-12 classroom.
Online research experiences in biology often focus on data analyses and exclude traditional forms of the in person research experience, including idea generation, data collection, personal collaboration, and even live animal/organism observation.
This is an online Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (oCURE) where students engage in a real biology education research project with the intent of publishing their findings. We build off research in my lab, which examines the relationship between biology learning environments and student anxiety and depression.
Summer 2023
Hands on experience with modeling, computation and analyses of applied mathematics and physics problems including cancer models, weather models, environmental and geophysical fluid dynamics, numerical methods, machine learning and mathematical biology. The REU can be completely remote, if the students are local, they can meet with mentors on campus on mutual convenient times.
Prior to commencing the research work, students will complete lessons on telescopes/digital imaging/image analysis tools. The goal of the research analysis is to search for stellar and brown dwarf companions to young, nearby stars.
Fall 2023
OURS program scholarship
The OURS program provides scholarships to ASU Online students enrolled in degree programs through The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and are currently participating in research. Preference is given to students with high financial need and are participating in research at ASU. Visit scholarships.asu.edu to apply.
| Semester awarded | Application posted | Application deadline |
| Spring 2023 | Sept. 30, 2022 | CLOSED |
| Summer 2023 | Feb. 1, 2023 | April 2, 2023 |
| Fall 2023 | May 1, 2023 | July 16, 2023 |
OURS program frequently asked questions
Can I participate in OURS research experiences as an on-campus student?
No. The OURS Program serves students who are enrolled in ASU Online degree programs within The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Online students have difficulty finding research opportunities that are available remotely because the majority of them do not live in the state of Arizona.
There are many other research programs at ASU that primarily serve on-campus students. such as SOLUR, FURI, the Humanities Lab and the Luminosity Lab. On-campus students can view available research opportunities on the Office of the University Provost’s UResearch webpage.
Where can I find the research experiences through the OURS Program?
Available experiences are found under the Research Opportunities section of this webpage. The requirements and time commitment for each experience will vary. Please read the descriptions for each experience carefully before applying.
Can I get course credit for participating in a research experience?
Some OURS research experiences are credit-bearing courses. Once accepted into the experience, you should speak with your academic advisor to discuss how these credits will apply towards your degree.
For research experiences that are not offered as courses, you may still be eligible to get course credit, but these details must be established among you, your faculty mentor and the academic unit.
Would I be able to receive Barrett Honors credits for participating in one of the OURS research opportunities?
Yes, you are able to receive Barrett Honors credits for your participation. Please check with your Barrett Honors advisor to make sure that you are receiving the proper credits.
When should I participate in undergraduate research?
Unless a particular research experience has a certain eligibility requirement, we recommend that students get involved in research as soon as they can in their academic career. Participating in undergraduate research not only helps you in building important skills but it also provides you with an opportunity to figure out what you like, or dislike, about a particular field.
How do I decide which experience is right for me?
Choose experiences that align with your personal interests and curiosities. Look at the available research opportunities, and determine one to three experiences that interest you.
Do not apply to or pick too many opportunities just because they are available on the OURS website. Research takes time, and if you pursue too many projects at once, you will not be able to complete the required tasks to be a successful researcher.
Is there a cost associated with participating?
If you are participating in a research experience that is offered as a course, you will have to pay tuition and fees for the assigned credit hours. If you are participating in an experience that has an on-campus component, you will have to account for potential travel and lodging expenses.
How much time should I dedicate towards research?
Time commitments will vary widely by research experience, but undergraduate student researchers spend 5-20 hours per week on research. It is better to dedicate large blocks of time towards research rather than short periods of time throughout the week.
If you have a heavy course load in a given semester, participating in research could be stressful. Consider the time commitment as you would an extracurricular activity before applying to an experience.
Can I participate in research opportunities remotely?
The majority of OURS program research experiences are available to ASU Online students remotely. However, research is discipline specific, and some of the opportunities will require online students to come to campus for a short, concentrated period of time.
Can I participate in research opportunities on campus?
Depending on the discipline, there are opportunities available to ASU Online students that include an on-campus component. We understand that our online students generally have other professional and family-related commitments outside of ASU. We typically schedule the in-person components where the students will be required to come to campus for a short, concentrated period of time (3-7 consecutive days). Students who wish to participate in research opportunities that include an in-person component will have to fund their own expenses for travel and lodging unless specified.
Can I participate in research opportunities outside of the OURS program as an online student?
Yes, you certainly can. We always encourage students to find their own research opportunities by connecting with ASU faculty and research centers.
What if I get accepted in a research experience, but I need to opt out?
We know that life happens, and sometimes things do not go as planned. Speak with your faculty or staff research mentor about the challenges you are facing. Transparent communication is key in building relationships with your research mentors. If the research experience you are participating in is related to course credits, you may need to also speak with your academic advisor.
Other information on undergraduate research
Foundation of Undergraduate Research course
“Foundation of Undergraduate Research” is a course for natural sciences students designed to mentor students who are looking to do undergraduate research in the hard sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, etc.). It is ideal for freshmen and sophomore-level students who would like more guidance in finding research opportunities. It is listed as a 194 course with the prefix associated with your major (ex. BIO, CHM, PHY, SES).
UResearch
If you are an on-campus undergraduate student, UResearch lists opportunities to work with faculty, graduate students and other undergraduates to transform your knowledge into actual practice — whether it is developing alternative energy from sunlight, next-generation nanoelectronics or creating your own entrepreneurial experience to launch a business.