Undergraduate Research Opportunities
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At SMU, we believe strongly in staying curious, asking questions, and discovering solutions. Research allows us to do exactly that. It empowers better understanding and development of solutions to today’s wicked problems. At SOSS, a dedicated team of outstanding faculty members with wide-ranging research interests passionately mentor students on their learning journey.
Students are invited to attend thought-provoking seminars conducted by leading scholars from SMU and other renowned universities. Besides opportunities to serve as research assistants to faculty-led research projects, students may also apply for the following courses to experience first-hand the challenges and thrills of research.
Independent Studies (IS), Senior Thesis (ST) and Guided Research in Social Sciences (GRSS) are graded research-focused courses with pre-requisites. As these courses build on prior knowledge and training, they are limited to students who are seniors in the respective disciplines. With the exception of the GRSS, IS and ST are student-initiated.
Click on the courses to find out more!
The Independent Study is a 1CU course. Under the supervision of a faculty member, a student proposes an idea to study a specific topic of interest that is not available in offered courses. The Independent Study will take place over the duration of one academic term. The student is expected to work mostly independently under supervision of a faculty supervisor who will track the student’s progress throughout the term and provide guidance. Depending on the nature of the study, the assessment of the Independent Study may be in the form of multiple essays or a final report that summarizes, unifies, and interprets the results of the study.
The Senior Thesis is an intensive 2CU course. Students will independently conduct an original theoretical or empirical research study under the supervision of a faculty member. The student will be actively involved in all stages of the research study including, but not limited to, the formulation of a research question, reviewing the literature, and writing up of the final thesis report. In the case of empirical research, the student will be responsible for the design of empirical study, development of measurement and procedures, data collection, and data analysis. In the case of theoretical research, the literature review should lead to an integration of different theoretical perspectives and/or the proposal of a new theory. The Senior Thesis will be done over two consecutive terms and students will be required to defend their final thesis at the end of the second term.
Hear from our students and faculty:
Senior Thesis in Politics, Law and Economics
Nicholas Chua, Class of 2021, BSocSc (PLE)
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"The ST course gave me a unique opportunity to deep dive into a topic of interest at an undergraduate level. It allowed for some freedom and flexibility which I highly valued given that my interests were not offered in taught courses. Working closely with my supervisor, Asst. Prof. Sebastian Dettman, was an enriching experience as he provided invaluable guidance and insight. The course also provided a glimpse of the rigour of further academia that had been instrumental in my decision to undertake a Master’s in Public Administration. I wouldn’t hesitate to repeat the entire experience in the course!"
Sebastian Dettman, Assistant Professor of Political Science
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"Writing a senior thesis can be a rewarding final-year project for students at SMU. I enjoy the opportunity of working closely with students as they tackle a research question and topic in more depth. It is also challenging, as it requires a significant commitment of time and effort, and involves original research and data collection. I encourage interested students to reach out to potential advisors early, since it will take time to develop your research proposal and approach."
Senior Thesis in Political Science
Eugene Tan Rui Lie, Class of 2020, BSocSc (Political Science & Sociology)
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"As I discovered my interest in pursuing research and academia, I realised that working on an independent research project on the scale of a Senior Thesis would be a meaningful culmination of the knowledge I had acquired during my undergraduate education. Beyond honing greater technical research skills, the Senior Thesis allowed me to dive deeper into topics of interest and develop professional skills relevant to both research and the workplace. Despite facing challenges, the opportunity to get first-hand experience of independent academic research is exceptionally valuable for an aspiring academic. I would highly recommend individuals who are considering a career in research, intending to apply to graduate school or are looking for a meaningful way to cap off their social science journey at SMU to take on the Senior Thesis."
Senior Thesis in Psychology
Benjamin Tan, Class of 2023, BSocSc (Psychology)
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"Curious to find out more about academic research after completing multiple stints as a research assistant, I decided to embark on the ST course. Though the course stretches over 2 terms, it was one of the most fulfilling periods in my undergraduate journey as I was able to delve and investigate a phenomenon of interest. You will have autonomy to shape your thesis and experience a deeper appreciation of the rigour necessary in the scientific field. If you are considering graduate school, do consider taking this course to get a sense of how academic research is carried out. Though obstacles were aplenty, I received strong support not only from my supervisor, Asst. Prof. Jacinth Tan, but also from the entire team of psychology faculty, my lab research assistants and even faculties from other schools and countries!"
Senior Thesis in Sociology
Danawa Roslee, Class of 2022, BSocSc (Sociology)
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"I read the ST course as I wanted to experience taking ownership of my own research project and I knew that as an undergraduate, this was the perfect opportunity to dip my toes into academic research. I appreciate the opportunity to be exposed to academic research as I was guided throughout the research process and required deliverables. I also acquired practical and valuable soft skills such as project management, data analysis and interviewing. The experience has opened options for me if I should choose to pursue postgraduate studies."
Yasmin Ortiga, Assistant Professor of Sociology
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"The Senior Thesis provides students with space and personalised support to investigate a topic that they find particularly interesting and important. As many would know, regular classroom curriculum does not really give you such opportunity! This freedom may be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, students who embark on the senior thesis get to lead their own learning journeys. On the other hand, they also need to pace themselves and manage their own time. I believe that the skills they gain from this experience makes the whole process worth it. Supervising senior thesis projects is one of the most fulfilling parts of my job as a faculty member and scholar."
The Guided Research in Social Science is a 1CU course, conducted over one academic term, where a small group of students will work with a faculty member on a substantial research-based project. During the course, students will learn to define research problems in the specific topic area, conduct literature review, formulate hypothesis, and identify appropriate research methodologies. They will be guided to analyse data, synthesize the data, and report their research findings into written and verbal forms.
All IS, ST and GRSS are graded and have their respective pre-requisites that students would have to meet before they may apply. Generally, these courses are limited to students who are seniors in the disciplinary field of interest.
Guided Research in Social Science
Berenice Neo Jia Qi, Class of 2024, BBM (Strategic Management) & BSocSc (Psychology)
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"As an aspiring researcher, enrolling in Guided Research in Social Sciences (GRSS) has equipped me with critical research and writing skills while giving me the opportunity to dive deeper into my research area of interest. Through a series of well-structured and interactive reading sessions, I learned to engage with the diverse and intellectual views from my mentors and course mates. This has helped me to challenge my own assumptions, think critically and develop my “own” voice. Most importantly, I was able to apply what I learned through an end-to-end empirical research project, taking ownership in every stage of the research process. This journey has definitely been a valuable and fulfilling one, and I believe these essential skills would benefit me beyond the field of research."