TU Research Enhancement Program
The TU Research Enhancement Program (TU REP) offers you the opportunity to engage in authentic research starting early in your academic career and continuing throughout your time at Towson University.
The Towson University Research Enhancement Program (TU REP) was created to increase the number of research opportunities undergraduates have in the Fisher College of Science and Mathematics (FCSM). The two major components of TU REP are the creation and support of Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) classes and the funding of additional research opportunities for undergraduate Biology majors in MD HIRES (Medium-Duration, High-Impact Research Experiences).
With five years of funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Inclusive Excellence program beginning in 2017, TU REP supported the development or modification of 25
CUREs across FCSM. CUREs engage students in the process of research across an entire
semester earning academic credit and often completing graduation requirements. CUREs
have been shown to increase student engagement and retention in their major and future
STEM career. Since funding ended, CURE development is being supported by TU’s Faculty Academic Center for Excellence at Towson and Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry.
Beginning in Spring 2025, additional research opportunities for undergraduates in
Biology are being funded with support from a grant from the National Science Foundation
by creating MD HIRES. MD HIRES Faculty will complete professional development to learn
how to be more effective and inclusive mentors of undergraduates. The grant will support
faculty, Mentoring Research Assistants (upper-level undergraduates who have research
support and will serve as peer mentors), and novice undergraduate research students
who have taken one CURE.