EXPLORE AN OCEAN OF RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
The Research Scholars Program at NSU Florida is customized for students who have a passion for scientific inquiry, problem-solving, and hands-on research projects. As part of this intellectual community, you’ll learn about research theoretical framework and methodology and then team up with NSU faculty mentors who are accomplished researchers to better understand research techniques in a variety of fields, such as marine biology, psychology, neuroscience, medical, dental, and education..
As a Research Scholar, you’ll develop skills that will prepare you to make an impact in your field of study. You’ll also receive a $24,000 annual scholarship package and earn a minor in research studies.
Program Overview and Objectives
Our Research Scholars are immediately immersed in a wealth of knowledge and spend four years becoming immersed in research opportunities in their areas of interest. Each semester, Research Scholars update their portfolios with goals, highlights, artifacts, and reflections to build an impressive resume for future professional studies and careers.
Many Razor's Research Scholars are Dual Admission and Honors College students that participate in an array of activities on campus.
Key Skills and Experience Gained
- Analytical skills
- Critical thinking
- Hands-on research
- Field study with a faculty mentor
The NSU Edge
With the help of proven leaders, faculty and staff members, you’ll gain the skills necessary to solve problems and make a significant impact on the NSU community. Sharks become immersed in research through mentorship, cocurricular activities, and hands-on research projects.
YEAR ONE: Discover
Your first year in the program focuses on relationships; you’ll become engaged with other Research Scholars, begin your research coursework, and join relevant NSU student organizations. Through research coursework, seminars, and conclaves, you’ll begin to build your research foundation.
Coursework
- RAZR 1000R - Seminar in Research Design and Implementation I
- RAZR 2000R - Seminar in Research Design and Implementation II
Experiential Learning: Research Design and Implementation
- Research 1 Living/Learning Community Housing
- Student Organization membership
- Big/Little Research Scholar Match
- Mentee/Mentor Match begins
- Monthly Conclave Attendance
- CITI Course - online module
- Participation in workshops designed to teach mentoring skills
YEAR TWO: Build
This year, you’ll focus on honing your research skills in further coursework and in your match with a faculty research mentor. Along the way, you’ll hone your skills through additional seminars and a research symposium.
Coursework
- RAZR 3000 - Quantitative Research Design and Statistical Analysis
- RAZR 2501 - Field Experience II
Experiential Learning
- Quantitative Research Design and Statistical Analysis
- Research 2 Living/Learning Community Housing
- Student Organization Leadership
- Monthly Conclave Attendance
- Student presentations during research field experience seminars
YEAR THREE: Experience
You’ve spent two years building your research acumen, including writing literature reviews, developing hypotheses, assisting with grant proposals, and writing research reports. Now it’s time to execute. You’ll find yourself participating in research conferences and activities as well as observing NSU faculty researchers in action.
Coursework
- RAZR 3501 - Field Experience II
- RAZR 3502 - Field Experience III
Experiential Learning
- Continuing the Research Field Experience
- Research 3 Living/Learning Community Housing
- Preprofessional or Academic Student Organization
- Monthly Conclave Attendance
- Institutional Research Board Observation(s)
- Dissertation Defense Observation(s)
- Mentoring incoming NSU freshmen
YEAR FOUR: Mentor
Year four is the culmination of your capstone research project. With all the experience and knowledge you’ve acquired during your first three years, you’re well-prepared to continue to work on grant proposals, research presentations and research papers. You’ll also have the opportunity to serve as a mentor to younger Shark Research Scholars.
Coursework
- RAZR 4501 - Field Experience IV
- RAZR 4502 - Field Experience V
Experiential Learning
- Capstone Project
- Graduate-Level Preprofessional or Academic Student Organization
- Monthly Conclave Attendance
- Sponsored Research Office and Grant Office interaction(s)
- Dissertation Defense Observation(s)
What Can You Gain as a Razor’s Edge Research Scholar?
Program and Minor Requirements
Earn a Minor in Research Studies
As a Research Scholar, you’ll earn a 15 credit minor in Research Studies (available only to Razor's Edge Research Scholars) to enhance your critical-thinking and analytical skills. Excelling in these minor courses positions you to use newfound tools and knowledge to make a difference on the NSU campus.
To earn the minor, you must complete 15 credit hours, including
- RAZR 1000R - Seminar in Research Design and Implementation I (3 credits)
- RAZR 2000R - Seminar in Research Design and Implementation II (3 credits)
- RAZR 3000 - Quantitative Research Design and Statistical Analysis (3 credits)
- RAZR 2501 - Field Experience (1 credit)
- RAZR 3501 - Field Experience (1 credit)
- RAZR 3502 - Field Experience (1 credit)
- RAZR 4501 - Field Experience (1 credit)
- RAZR 4502 - Field Experience (2 credits)
Required GPA: Earn a grade of “B” (3.0) or better in each undergraduate course used to satisfy the minor, and maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
What else do we expect from our Research Scholars?
You’ll come to NSU with a potentially brilliant and curious mind destined for success. Through the Razor’s Edge Research Program, you’ll learn to channel that intelligence and become a future leader in the world of research.
Community Engagement
Research Scholars work closely with faculty members and NSU researchers to solve complex problems and unearth exciting new findings in important fields, such as STEM, social sciences, education, and business.
Academic Excellence
Research Scholars are among NSU’s top students, committed to excelling in a challenging curriculum.
Serve as a Student Success Mentor
In your first year, you’ll receive training on how to be a student success mentor. In your second and third years, you’ll serve as an active mentor. In your fourth year, it will be your turn to train members of the incoming Razor’s Edge class and share what you’ve learned during your time as a mentor.
Live on Campus
Scholars are required to live on campus all four years.
Sample Field Experience Projects
Social Sciences
"Music, Exercise and Cognition": Erin Goonan ’23, mentored by Dr. W. Matthew Collins, College of Psychology
"Cultural Humility for LGBTQ Populations": Kayla Sewell ’22, mentored by Dr. Helene Fisher, Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences
"Effects of Prolonged Touch Deprivation as a Result of Covid-19": Lorena Hernandez ’21, mentored by Dr. Lia Jiannine, Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences
"Virtual Analysis of the Writing and Communication Center": Joy Oni ’20, mentored by Dr. Kevin Dvorak, Halmos College of Arts and Sciences
"Effect of Hope Court on Kids Going Through the Foster Care System": Sharan Sankar ’23, mentored by Dr. James Pann, College of Psychology
Medical Sciences
"Can SDF and KI be used to treat Carious Lesions on Bovine Teeth": Christian Ramlal ’22, mentored by Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, College of Dental Medicine
"The Impact of Potassium Iodide on the Staining of Silver Diamine Fluoride as Potential Cosmetic Restorative Procedure for Carious Lesions": Nelson Triana ’21, mentored by Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, College of Dental Medicine
"The Use of Volatile Organic Compounds as a Tool for Diagnosing Diseases": Nabiha Atiquzzaman ’23, mentored by Dr. Jessica Brown, Halmos College of Arts and Sciences
"The Effect of Social Defeat Stress on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats": Miguel Cuello ’22, mentored by Dr. William Kochen, College of Psychology
Natural Sciences
"Thermal Biology Research on Mangrove Associated Fishes": Erin Cowan ’22, mentored by Dr. David Kerstetter, Halmos College of Arts and Sciences
"Stabilization of a Porphyrin Monocation": Mamiko Swanson ’23, mentored by Dr. Maria Ballester, Halmos College of Arts and Sciences
"Bottle-Nose Dolphin Contact Exchanges in Mother-Calf Pairs at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences": Savanna Duda ’23, mentored by Dr. Amy Hirons, Halmos College of Arts and Sciences
"Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties of Ferrocene-bis Bipyridine Ruthenium Complexes": Abigayle Gonzalez ’23, mentored by Dr. Dimitri Giarikos, Halmos College of Arts and Sciences
Academic Requirements at a Glance
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Program Contact
If you have any questions about the program, please contact Dana Mills at dmills@nova.edu or (954) 262-7818.
Prospective Students
Connect with an admissions counselor to learn more about the application process.
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