Each semester faculty across campus are encouraged to submit a research proposal using the CBHP Project Proposal Form. Based on their academic backgrounds, interests and the perceived value of the project, CBHP students select a project and meet with the faculty member to negotiate a contract for the scope of work the student is to accomplish during the specified project period. Projects may be worked on by a single student or a team of CBHP students based upon the requisite skills and volume of work to be accomplished. In addition, a project may last one semester or span several semesters provided there are incremental deliverables to gauge the student's progress.

Selection Process

After selecting a project submitted by a faculty member, the student works closely with that faculty member who serves as project director. The CBHP student works with the faculty member to develop a project contract specifying the work to be completed within a given timeframe. The student immerses him/herself into the research domain and participates in various stages of the research project depending upon the agreed-upon scope of work. The project director is responsible for supervision of the student throughout the project and evaluating the student's work. Students are required to formally present their work to their faculty sponsor, peers, and other student project directors at the end of the academic semester, and the project director must complete an evaluation of the student using the standard student evaluation form.

Specifications

The role of a CBHP student is to serve as a research assistant to a faculty member in a related field of study. The students should participate in the multiple stages of a research projects and develop an understanding of the objectives and value of the research.

CBHP students receive three hours of Honors credit per semester. Therefore, students should engage in an active learning experience at an accelerated pace. The students are not to be used as employees who only apply previously acquired knowledge to produce a product.

CBHP students are not to be used as data-entry personnel or library research assistants.

CBHP students are expected to work with their project director to create and sign a project contract specifying the goals of the research project, activities and deliverables for which the student is responsible, identified risks possibly compromising deadlines or deliverables and the learning outcomes for the student.

CBHP students and project directors should meet weekly to keep the research project on track and ensure learning objectives are met.

Project directors must complete an evaluation of the students at the end of an academic term using the standard CBHP student evaluation form. The form should be received by the CBHP Director on the first business day following the student's final examination.

Submission Process

If you have a research project you believe will fit into the CBH program and are willing to participate in this program by working with an undergraduate student, then you are encouraged to submit a description of this project. You may download and complete the project proposal form and email it back to cbhp@bama.ua.edu. Once your project is selected around the second week of an academic term, the CBHP student will contact you directly for further information and begin filling out a project contract for you to review and approve.

The deadline for submitting this semester's proposed computer research project to the address below is in January of 2008. Please don't hesitate to contact Shane Sharpe, CBHP Director at ssharpe@bama.ua.edu or at 348-5029 with any questions.