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PSV-21 Assessment of Undergraduate Research Students in the Animal Science Department


 An assessment of undergraduate involvement in research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln using participant surveys has shown the benefits of knowledge gained and given insight for design and success of undergraduate participation in research in the animal science department. Current undergraduate students who had participated in some form of animal science research were surveyed with both demographic questions and ones based on intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting research were evaluated. On the survey, students were asked rank statements on a 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) Likert-type scale to analyze the impacts of completing undergraduate research and the effects it has on one’s knowledge and ability to use and apply what was taught. A total of 30 students completed the survey. Ten percent of students that participated in the survey were male and the other 90% were female. Students ages ranged from 18-23 with the majority being 20-21 (46%) and seniors (33.3%) as well as a Nebraska resident (78%). Students expressed that they mostly heard about the undergraduate research opportunity from their professor (48%) or an outside source such as pre-vet or class presentations (36%). Sixty percent of individuals indicated that pre-veterinary medicine was their current career choice with only 4% indicating they did not plan to continue a higher degree post undergraduate. Interestingly, undergraduate students felt graduate students had a greater impact on their research compared to the professor (43% vs 36%) while 21% of participants said neither had an impact on their research as an undergraduate. Students felt many benefits from participating in undergraduate research from educational opportunities, such as feeling more prepared/competitive for graduate school to life skills, including greater knowledge, reasoning and problem-solving. In conclusion, from participating in undergraduate research, participants are able enhance their scientific learning skills that will help them in their future.