Undergraduate Research Services

Student Research and Scholarship Expo

Expo Event: Wednesday, April 21
Application Deadline: Friday, March 12

The Annual Student Research and Scholarship Expo, open to graduate and undergraduate students in all disciplines, offers students the opportunity to showcase the results and progress of their academic, research and scholarly work. Projects can cover a wide variety of topics and presentation styles. Past Expos have included oral presentations, poster presentations, performances, art exhibitions, technology demonstrations and film screenings. The application for the 2010 Expo will be available at the beginning of the spring term. (The 2009 application is provided for reference.)

Research done as a class requirement or independent study is admissible. Each presenter must have the support of a faculty member. The Expo offers students and their mentors campus-wide recognition for their work and provides students with experience in preparing a scholarly presentation.

Submission Information

What can I submit?
Presentations from all departments of the university are accepted and encouraged. We strive to include as diverse an array of presentations as we can gather, so research is broadly defined as any academic activity resulting in a product. This includes research done in pursuit of a class paper, project, or activity, a thesis, or an independent study. If you are unsure if your project is suitable, ask!

The abstract is your opportunity to state your goals and summarize your research, activities and results. All accepted abstracts will be published on the Towson University Web site and in hard copy. For guidance and ideas, view examples of abstracts of past student projects. 

Where do I submit my abstract?
Abstracts may be submitted to either of the following locations:

  • Office of University Research Services, 7800 York Road, Room 226
  • Electronically to the following e-mail address: jtoll@towson.edu

How do I submit my abstract?
Your abstract submission must include the completed and signed cover page. (Available online on the OURS site, or by request e-mailed to jtoll@towson.edu). You must have a faculty sponsor in order to present. For example, if you are presenting work done for a class, asking the professor who taught that class to support your presentation would be ideal. Applications submitted without the cover page and/or the signature of a faculty sponsor cannot be reviewed for presentation. Please be sure to include the following information on your cover sheet:

  • Your preference for an oral, poster, demonstration, exhibition, or performance presentation.
  • Audiovisual requirements. Please note if the requirements are not noted with your submission, the resources you need may not be available on the day of the Expo.
  • Your e-mail address, if you have one, and full contact information so that we can notify you regarding your status and scheduled presentation time. If you do not have an e-mail address, please include your faculty sponsor’s electronic contact information.

What do I include in my abstract submission package? 

  • The completed Application Cover Sheet signed by your faculty adviser.
  • A disk containing the abstract in MS Word format, or you may e-mail the abstract to Jennifer Toll at jtoll@towson.edu. As abstracts of all presentations made at the Expo will be published, electronic submission of abstracts is required.

What is included in an abstract?
The abstract (summary) is a brief description of your project, limited to one double-spaced page in 12 point, Times New Roman font, composed of the following items:

  1. Heading: The title should be typed in boldface print, followed by a single space and then your full first and last name and Towson University department followed by a single space and your faculty sponsor’s name, followed by the double spaced abstract text.

    Example:

    Exploration of Time Travel Possibilities Using the Flux Capacitor
    Marty McFly, Department of Experimental Slackers
    Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Emmett Brown
  2. Problem Studied, Research Question, or Description of Scholarly Activity (in one sentence, if possible).
  3. Subjects (briefly state who or, if nonhuman, what species you are studying; and specify relevant characteristics (e.g., gender, age, etc.).
  4. Materials/Apparatus (briefly identify/describe standardized tests, reading materials, etc., equipment used, or primary sources used.)
  5. Research Design (briefly describe the type of study that you conducted (e.g., an experiment, correlation study, etc.).
  6. Procedures (briefly describe, step by step, what you did).
  7. Major Results (briefly describe your findings).
  8. Major Conclusions and Implications (briefly describe what these results mean, perhaps including practical or theoretical implications of your findings).

It is not necessary to include all the category headings in your abstract, but you may if you find it useful for organizing your information. These categories are based on a scientific model, but may be adapted for other projects as necessary. We encourage you to look at previous abstracts from your department or college for guidance. 

Please note, in preparing your submission you should be clear and explanatory as the reviewers have only your abstract to determine the nature of your proposed presentation for the Expo. Be sure to keep a copy of the abstract and signed cover page for yourself should there be any difficulty in the transmittal of your abstract.

If you are planning to exhibit artwork, it would be helpful to include a digital picture with your abstract. Film presenters should both describe the film in the abstract and submit a copy of the film for evaluation. Theatrical performers should include a script, etc.

Questions regarding the submission of abstracts may be directed to your department chairperson, graduate program coordinator, or to Mary Louise Healy or Jennifer Toll in the Office of University Research Services. 

Information for Poster Presenters

  • Please note, standard space allotment for poster presentations will accommodate posters 48 inches (4 feet) wide by 48 inches (4 feet) high. If you wish to request more space, contact jtoll@towson.edu or indicate your space requirements, if known, on your application. Additional equipment/space needs will not count against your application during the review process.
  • Student Computing Services is available to assist student researchers in printing research posters free of charge. Other resources include:  SCS Poster Production Guide and  SCS Poster Templates.

 

Office of University Research Services
7800 York Road, Rooms 225-220

Phone: 410-704-5064
Fax: 410-704-4494
E-mail: jtoll@towson.edu