Research Honors Program

To apply to the program, students are required to take BAUG 20300 – Introduction to Research Scholarship. In this 3-credit course, students will learn about the research process, program expectations, resources, and the types and varieties of research conducted at Mendoza, which will help them make a more informed decision about whether they would like to undertake the rigorous program. At the end of the introductory course, students will be required to write a reflection paper. 

If, after taking the course, a student would like to be a part of the RHP, he/she should email the director to indicate this preference. At that point, the director will evaluate the reflection paper, the students’ performance in the course, and the faculty advisors' availability in the students’ preferred field to determine admission to the program.

Absolutely. Students who just want to take the introductory course or any specific research course are more than welcome to sign up for the course, as long as they have the required prerequisites; however, preference for enrollment in research courses will be given to RHP students.

With the exception of the introduction course (BAUG 20300), courses completed through RHP satisfy BHP Intermediate and Advanced requirements. The introduction course cannot be counted because it can only be taken pass/fail.

No, the proposed timeline is just an “optimal” path that allows students the summer to develop a research idea and find an advisor for their final, independent study course, which will be in their senior year. However, this is not a required path. For example, some students study abroad in the spring of their junior year and may choose to take two research-related courses in the fall of their junior year, while others might take one course in the fall of their junior year and the other in the fall of their senior year. While the former could take their independent study in the fall or spring of their senior year, the latter would need to take it in the spring of their senior year. Any student who would like to enroll in the RHP but cannot follow the proposed path should contact the RHP director to discuss alternative options. The director will try to accommodate any request.

The prerequisite for BAUG 20300 is a basic statistics course. Mendoza students will typically have had their required introductory statistics course by the end of their sophomore year. As such, the program is designed to offer BAUG 20300 to sophomores each spring. However, if a freshman student wants to take BAUG 20300 and believes he/she has had significant training in statistics, he/she should contact the RHP director to obtain permission to take the course.

Ideally, students would take the introductory course as a sophomore to (i) learn about the different course offerings in more detail before selecting their path in the program, (ii) gauge their interest in pursuing research further, and (iii) develop relationships with their cohorts at the start of the program. However, particularly in the initial years of the RHP, juniors interested in the program should speak with the RHP director to determine whether there is a viable way to fulfill the requirements, perhaps by doubling up on courses rather than taking them sequentially, or by counting prior research courses toward their progress. Each student’s case will be different, so it is best to seek advice from the RHP director about possibilities.

Yes! As part of the RHP, students will be provided (at least) four important opportunities:

1. Research assistantship: RHP students are highly encouraged to serve as a (compensated) research assistant for at least one semester with a research-active faculty member. To facilitate this process, the director will discuss students’ research interests and goals, then work to connect them with faculty whose research expertise most closely aligns with their interests. Research assistant tasks will be commensurate with the student's ability and interest.
2. Mentorship: A major focus of the RHP is student mentorship, which includes strong support from the RHP director, faculty advisors, and other research leaders both within Mendoza and across the University, as well as more senior research-active students to ensure students’ success in their research endeavors by creating a research culture of support.
3. Research-related travel: Students are encouraged to engage in research outside the classroom. One example of such an experience would be attending an academic conference with a Notre Dame faculty member (presumably an advisor) in their chosen research field to gain a better sense of the profession and meet key players in that field. All research-related travel should be approved by the MRHP director, and financial support will be discussed at that time.
4. Research funding: In addition to funding for travel, RHP students are eligible to receive funding for activities to support their own research, such as the purchase of necessary computer hardware, software, databases, etc. Students can also receive assistance in applying for scholarship opportunities.

Accountancy:

• Academic Research in Accounting (ACCT 40830)
• Information Flows in the Capital Market and Academic Research (ACCT 40840)

ITAO:

• Human-centered Analytics: Measurement, Design, Analysis (ITAO 50860)
• Designing for Human-centered AI (ITAO 50850)
• Machine Learning & Natural Language Processing (ITAO 80810)
• Philosophy of Science (ITAO 80820)

M&O:

• Theory & Research in Strategy (MGTO 43125)
• Upper Echelons Perspective: Theory & Research (MGTO 43130)
• Research Methods in Management (MGTO 80420)
• Research Methods in Strategy (MGTO 80430)

Finance:

• Academic Research in Finance (FIN 40830)

Marketing:

• N/A

Please reach out to Morgan Leach at mleach2@nd.edu.