FAQs about ULTRIS

Who can apply?

Undergraduate students enrolled in UWA can apply either individually or in teams of 2 or 3 students. Students who will be in their first academic year or in their honours year in 2010 will not be eligible to apply for the internship.

Do I need to have previous experience in research?

No - part of the internship will involve preparing you for your role as a researcher through a series of workshops which will be held in February 2010.

Should I apply if my grades are not all Distinctions or above?

Applications will be judged on a number of criteria and so good grades, while helpful, are not essential.

Can I choose my own topic to research?

All the research will be focused on a prominant teaching and learning issue. The focus of the research projects for 2010 will be first year university students' experience and how that impacts on their future learning. There is a large body of literature on this. Your final specific topic will be decided after consultation between you, your faculty and your research supervisor. Your ideas and input will be valuable in determining your particular research focus.

How long will the internship be and what will I be doing?

The internship will begin in February 2010 with a series of workshop seminars. At the end of that period you will prepare a research proposal oulining the project you will undertake. You will carry out the bulk of the research during semester 1, 2010 and then write up the results in the form of an academic paper which will be due in the mid year break (July). You will also be encouraged to present your findings at an educational conference in August 2010. Throughout this process you will be supported by a research supervisor who will be available for guidance and advice.

What will I learn?

The internship will offer a rare opportunity for undergraduates to have a research experience - something that is not usually available to students until they are postgraduates. The internship will replicate as closely as possible the process of postgraduate research from the construction of a research proposal, conducting the research, writing up the findings and presenting the results in a public forum. In many cases the type of research that the interns will undertake will be very different from that of their own discipline. In this way the opportunity will exist to broaden your understanding of what research can be. 

Research methods will be specifically taught in the workshops which will be advantageous to you, both as you continue through your undergraduate studies and should you undertake further research as a postgraduate.

How will the internship advantage me?

Apart from getting a headstart in an understanding of what research entails and the skills you will aquire, undertaking the internship will be highly desirable for a a number of reasons. As a competitive program (only one internship/faculty) it will be prestigeous and look very good on your CV!

The $3000 awarded to each intern (or team of interns) for the sucessful completion of the internship is an added bonus.

Will I be able to keep my usual job and still do the internship?

To get the most out of the internship you will be required to commit a number of hours per week (approx 5-10) to the project. It is strongly suggested that you do not take on the internship and attempt to continue with your usual work commitments. It is not intended that the internship should place extra demands on your time, rather that it should be available to allow you to work on-campus (on your research project) instead of undertaking alternative work off-campus.

Who can give me more advice?

There will be faculty advisors available to assist you in deciding whether the internship is right for you. To find out who your advisors are or for any other qustions about the internship you can contact Lee Partridge lee.partridge@uwa.edu.au or phone 6488 1582.

What do I have to do to apply for the internship?

There will be an information session on Tuesday September 1 in the Murdoch Lecture Theatre, Arts Building, between 1-2pm. Application Forms can be collected at that session and will be posted on this site when available. The closing date for applications will be Friday 2 October, 2009.