Training Your Mind to Think
Critically
Training Your Mind to Think
Critically
Training Your Mind to Think
Critically
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC)
UC Merced is known for our unique research opportunities. The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC) gives students the chance to apply academic knowledge in real-world settings.
Participating in undergraduate research allows you to:
- Work one-on-one with internationally distinguished faculty
- Participate in cutting-edge research projects with far-reaching impact
- Make significant contributions to a field you care about
- Enhance your competitiveness for graduate or professional school admission or high-level employment
SPARK SEMINARS
You'll get an introduction to learning at a research university starting from your first semester. Spark Seminars are unique courses taught by professors who are passionate about their research. These classes are kept small, so you'll have the chance to work with faculty as soon as you get to campus. Spark Seminars ask students to focus on the nature of inquiry by exploring a particular topic over the course of the semester, engaging with campus and local resources, generating research questions, and presenting original ideas in writing and other forms of communication.
Research Centers
& Institutes
The STEM Resource Center provides resources to help students build lifelong skills needed for advancement and leadership in science, technology, engineering and math careers, including assistance in finding research and internship opportunities, conducting community outreach, and accessing mentoring and peer tutoring.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Calista Lum
Major: Physics, Natural Sciences Education (NSED) minor Hometown: Fairfield, Calif.
- 2019-20 NASA Internship
- 2018-19 UC Merced MACES (Merced nAnomaterials Center for Energy and Sensing) Fellowship Recipient
- 2020 UROC (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center) Scholar
- Alumni of the Yosemite Leadership Program (YLP)
- Undergraduate Representative for Women in Physics Society
- Resident Assistant (2018-19)
UC Merced is … a place where I have met lifelong friends and have gained the support of a passionate and caring community. It is where I have been able to pursue life-changing opportunities that I don’t think I would have been exposed to anywhere else.
What is your dream for the future of UC Merced? My dream for the future of UC Merced would be for it to become a place where students are able to surpass any preconceived notions of themselves and become more confident leaders and scientists.
My favorite memory at UC Merced thus far would definitely be when the Yosemite Leadership Program (YLP) and I partnered with the CalTeach program, the Vernal Pool Grassland Reserve, and the McSwain School District ... [We] took 4 classes of 6th graders out on the Vernal Pools Reserve to learn about the environment and ecosystems ... It made me proud to be a part of an experience which hopefully inspires these young scientists to become lifelong learners.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Calista Lum
Major: Physics, Natural Sciences Education (NSED) minor Hometown: Fairfield, Calif.
- 2019-20 NASA Internship
- 2018-19 UC Merced MACES (Merced nAnomaterials Center for Energy and Sensing) Fellowship Recipient
- 2020 UROC (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center) Scholar
- Alumni of the Yosemite Leadership Program (YLP)
- Undergraduate Representative for Women in Physics Society
- Resident Assistant (2018-19)
UC Merced is … a place where I have met lifelong friends and have gained the support of a passionate and caring community. It is where I have been able to pursue life-changing opportunities that I don’t think I would have been exposed to anywhere else.
What is your dream for the future of UC Merced? My dream for the future of UC Merced would be for it to become a place where students are able to surpass any preconceived notions of themselves and become more confident leaders and scientists.
My favorite memory at UC Merced thus far would definitely be when the Yosemite Leadership Program (YLP) and I partnered with the CalTeach program, the Vernal Pool Grassland Reserve, and the McSwain School District ... [We] took 4 classes of 6th graders out on the Vernal Pools Reserve to learn about the environment and ecosystems ... It made me proud to be a part of an experience which hopefully inspires these young scientists to become lifelong learners.
Youngest university ever to earn Carnegie R2 research classification
The Carnegie Foundation
Youngest university ever to earn Carnegie R2 research classification
The Carnegie Foundation
