Undergraduate Research Grows Up

In University Business, Julie Sturgeon writes about science facility upgrades, and new facilities. The article includes mini-case studies from Dominican University, Murray State University, Clark Univrsity, Florida International University, and the University of Oklahoma:

SCIENCE PROFESSORS BEGAN shifting their classroom curricula in the early 1990s. Turns out, studies showed that they could attract more students to their disciplines if the kids were allowed to get their hands on the good stuff. Participating in research as early as freshman year-and we're talking not talking about dissecting a frog-fosters a contagious excitement. Ricky Cox, a biomedical chemist at Murray State University (Ky.), invites his undergraduates to help him in the lab, and as a result, one girl recently graduated with five publication credits to her name.

Who couldn't use a slice of prestige just like that?