Research & Creative Activity Track

Student conducts research in the snow with Anchorage skyline and mountains in the background

Track Description

The Honors in Research and Creative Activity track provides a pathway for students to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and confidence in conducting research or creative activity appropriate to their chosen discipline.Through participation in the track, students develop their skills under the guidance of one or more faculty mentors.

Students graduating with Honors in Research and Creative Activity will demonstrate the ability to work through a research or creative process, which may include: conception or question formulation; background research; proposal; methodology; craft strategies; implementation; analysis; reflection; revision; exhibition/presentation/performance; and dissemination.

 

Degree Pathways

Bachelor Degree

  • Twenty-four (24) units are required to earn Honors Scholar in Research and Creativity Activity.

    • At least 9 units must be academic credits in the honors track plan.

    • At least 6 units must be experiential units in the honors track plan.

  • Students must complete an Honors ePortfolio about their honors experience.

Associate Degree

  • Twelve (12) units are required to earn Honors Associate in Research & Creative Activity.

    • At least 6 units must be academic credits in their honors track plan.

    • At least 3 units must be experiential units in their honors track plan. 

  • Students must complete an Honors ePortfolio about their honors experience.

 

The information below provides courses and activities that will count towards graduating with Honors in Research & Creative Activity. You can also read all the information in a PDF document as well, if you prefer.

Academic Courses

Honors GER Courses:

Note: Maximum of 9 credits can be taken for Honors Credit; Specific sections offered changed every semester - consult with your advisor what is available before registering for courses.

Tier I Departments:

  • COMM - Communications
  • MATH - Math
  • WRTG - Writing

*Only Honors designated sections will count towards Honors GER credits. Check with your advisor before registering for courses.

Tier II Departments:

  • HIST - History
  • PSY - Psychology
  • URS - Undergraduate Research

*Only Honors designated sections will count towards Honors GER credits. Check with your advisor before registering for courses.

 

Research or Creative Activity focused Courses:

  • URS A121 methods of Inquiry AND/OR
    URS A188 research & Scholarship AND/OR
    URS A388 Developing a Scholarly Identity; (3 units; repeatable 1 time)
  • WRTG A290 Grant Writing
  • Tier II GER approved course with experiential research or creative activity component (3 units)
  • Approved course work with experiential research or creative activity component (3 units; repeatable 3 times)
  • 498 Independent Research (1-6 units); can be applied to experiential units requirement
  • 499 Thesis with research focus (1-6 units); can be applied to experiential units requirement

 

Experiential Activities

Honors-eligible Activities for Experiential Units

  • Supervised Research or Creative Activity experience (1-3 units/semester; max. 6 units)
  • 25 hours of approved summer research or creative activity experience (1 unit; max. 3 units)
  • Attendance at UAA-sponsored R/CA events (0.25 units; max. 1 unit)
  • CITI Research Ethics Certification (0.25 unit; max. 1 unit)
  • Funding award applicant (0.25 unit)
  • Funding award recipient to support R/CA activities (0.5 unit; max. 1 unit)
  • R/CA exhibit, performance, presentation, or publication (other than UAA Showcase) (0.5 - 2 units; repeatable)
  • R/CA peer mentor or learning assistant (0.5 unit/semester; max. 2 units)

Symphony orchestra performing on stage with a purple backlight

 

Unique Research or Creative Activity Experience

To help you customize your experience in the Honors College, every student is able to propose unique experiences related to your track, that you feel will provide educational benefits to increasing the breadth or depth of your college work and experiences. Note that you must consult with the Honors Board Faculty and receive formal approval prior to starting your unique experience.

  • ___________________ (0.5 - 3 units each)

 

Honors Story ePortfolio

All Honors students are required to submit an Honors ePortfolio as their culminating project. The ePortfolio should include materials and reflections from the courses and activities completed to earn Honors and a summative reflection about their Honors experience. Students are encouraged to consult with Track faculty and be creative in the presentation of their Honors story.

Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically and truly all that comes under thy observation in life.

Marcus Aurelius

The truth is that creative activity is one that involves the entire self - our emotions, our levels of energy, our characters, and our minds.

Robert Greene

Students walk across a grassy field with mountains in the background