Undergraduate Research

An integral area in deepening a student’s intellectual engagement within their academic experience is undergraduate research. At the Herbert College of Agriculture, undergraduate research can be a transformational experience for students, propelling them toward advanced study in graduate school, and helping them to identify purposeful career paths. The research process fosters and celebrates creativity, discovery, inquiry, cross-disciplinary engagement, and student-faculty connection while building skills of collaboration and communication.


Opportunities to Get Involved in Undergraduate Research 

At Herbert, we have made efforts to normalize undergraduate research by creating courses dedicated to the topic in almost every major:

  • ALEC 499
  • ANSC 499
  • AREC 499
  • BSE 499
  • ESS 499
  • FDSC 499
  • FWF 499
  • PLSC 499

Working directly with faculty (and faculty teams) on their research is a great way to build connections and gain valuable experience:

  • Reviewing literature
  • Collecting samples in the field 
  • Conducting surveys
  • Analyzing, collating, and organizing data and data sets
  • Writing research reports
  • Presenting research findings

Opportunities for Research Recognition 

  • Discovery Day
  • EUReCA
  • Pursuit (Undergraduate Research Journal)
  • Undergraduate Research Symposium (URSA)
  • Summer Research Symposium 
Connect and explore university-wide research opportunities through the UTK Office of Undergraduate Research.

Research is conducted by our faculty nationally, internationally, statewide, and even within the university through collaborative, interdisciplinary ways. Connecting with faculty is essential to developing, expanding, and enriching your undergraduate research and discovery experience.