Eligibility:

For the MURPPS Program, eligible students must:     

Be eligible for need-based financial aid and meet one of the following criteria:

  • Be a first generation college student (neither parent achieving a BA or BS)
  • Be a previous participant in a "pre-college' outreach program (e.g. Upward Bound, EAOP, STEP, etc.)

Students must also:

  • Be declared a Mathematics or Physical Sciences major
  • Test into Math 12 or higher
  • Be in good academic standing
  • Have and maintain a 2.70 UC cumulative GPA
  • Priority consideration is given to students who are low-income, and/or first-generation (neither parent nor legal guardian has a Bachelor's degree), and who intend to pursue a Masters or Ph.D. after graduation.  This program is not open to students intending to pursue professional degrees such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, management, or law.

Students who have transferred from a community college are especially encouraged to apply.

MURRPS participants agree to participate in regular meetings, events, and assignments.

Elya Kandahari

Program Benefits:

MURPPS offers the following benefits:

  • Faculty research mentors help students formulate their research interests and develop their research skills.  Faculty also write stellar letters of recommendation for students applying to graduate school.
  • Students gain extensive research experience (year round), including help choosing a faculty research mentor
  • Academic and professional development workshops and seminars provide information on such topics as scientific communication, creating a scientific poster, strengthening academic and communication skills, and more
  • Individual academic and holistic advising/coaching is provided for each student several times throughout the quarter
  • Students gain leadership, communication, and presentation skills
  • Students build their MPS research identity/profile
  • Educational, social and networking enrichment opportunities are provided to scholars
  • Community building experiences are offered to students (and faculty) with similar academic, personal, and professional interests
  • A summer research program provides students the opportunity to work closely with a faculty mentor during the summer
  • Scholars receive quarterly and summer research stipends (scholars only)
  • Scholars participate in the Undergraduate Research Conference, and other conferences and symposia
  • Graduate school field trip opportunities are available to participants

There are two pathways in which to take advantage of the MURPPS program:
 

Pathway #1 - MURPPS Scholars:  

Outstanding students may be selected as MURPPS Research Scholars and receive stipends to conduct research with a faculty mentor.  Stipend amounts range from $500 to $3,500 for the summer (TBD based on options for summer programming) and up to $1,000 per quarter during the Academic Year.  The research activities can take place during:
            a) summer only.  We are now accepting applications for summer.  See below for deadlines.
            b) academic year. Applications for the academic year are due in March and October.  
            c) both of the above.
 
MURPPS Scholars meet regularly for advising appointments with the MURPPS Administrative Director.

Pathway #2 - MURPPS Emerging Scholars:  

Students accepted as MURPPS Emerging Scholars do not receive research stipends but may participate in any of the MURPPS program activities such as workshops, seminars, and field trips.  

Financial Support for Scholars

  • $1,000/quarter
  • Summer stipends range from $500-$3,500 (TBD based on options for summer programming)

Program Expectations

The MURPPS program has high expectations for our research scholars. We offer extensive academic and research support throughout the year so students can maximize their potential and successfully obtain their educational goals.

Scholars are expected to:

  • Actively participate in all workshops, seminars, and assignments, and utilize individual support services whenever appropriate, while maintaining at least a 2.7 UC cumulative GPA or better, and a full-time course load during the academic year.
  • Spend a minimum of 8-10 hours/week in research lab each quarter during the academic year and 30-35 hours/week during summer (if applicable).
  • Present at the Undergraduate Research Conference at UC Davis, and the Research Scholars Symposium (summer scholars)
  • At all times conduct themselves in a manner that fosters collegiality, honesty, safety, and respect for self and others in accordance with the University’s Code of Academic Conduct, and aspire to the goals outlined in the Principles of Community.  Through active participation, students are expected to adhere to CAMP guidelines and to be models of excellence and personal integrity by their faculty and peers.
Elya Kandahari

 

Application Information and Deadlines

 

Application is due Monday, October 28, 2024, by 11:59 p.m. (Extended Deadline)

Letters of Recommendation are required for scholar applicants only and are due by December 11, 2024 (If you need more time for a LOR, just ask at urc.ucdavis.edu!)

Application materials include:

  • MURPPS Online Application
  • Personal statement
  • College Transcripts are required for new fall transfers only.

  • Letters of Recommendation are required for scholar applicants only and are due by December 11, 2024 (If you need more time for a LOR, just ask!)

     

Apply to MURPPS

 

Scholars with an active research position are expected to conduct research and attend weekly professional development workshops. 

For more information about MURPPS, contact Lolita Adkins at lrnelson@ucdavis.edu, or urc@ucdavis.edu, or visit the Undergraduate Research Center, 2300 Student Community Center.

 

MURPPS logo (web of different colored shapes and symbols inside the shape of a lightbulb)

 

 

The MURPPS program is funded by the Office of the Dean, College of Letters & Science and is administered through the Undergraduate Research Center.