The Office of Research Development hosts Mississippi State University's Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium in April and the Summer Undergraduate Research Showcase in July. Undergraduate students engaged in faculty-guided research and creative activity from all programs of study are encouraged to participate in these events. Students from other universities and institutions are also invited to present.
The Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium provides the opportunity for students who engage in research to present those research findings through poster and oral presentations sessions. Additional prizes may be available through Special Area Competitions held during the Symposium by various sponsoring units and departments across campus.
The Summer Undergraduate Research Showcase is an event where students from across the university communicate original research and scholarly work in the form of poster and oral presentations. The Showcase provides an important professional development opportunity for students and is commonly used to satisfy course and capstone requirements. There are no Special Area Competitions in the Summer Showcase.
Information on past symposia and showcases, including examples of abstracts and posters, can be found HERE.
To participate in either the Spring symposium or the Summer Showcase (typically referred to as URS), you must submit an abstract to register for the event. The submission form can be found HERE. Please read the following instructions carefully to ensure a successful submission. Please read the following instructions carefully to ensure a successful submission.
Choose a Project Category
In the submission form, you will need to classify your poster or oral presentation/performance as belonging to one of the following eight categories:
- Biological & Life Sciences
- Business & Economics
- Education
- Engineering
- Physical Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
- Arts, Music & Design (Poster, Oral Presentation, or Performance
It will be up to you and your faculty mentor to properly classify the project. Please pay close attention to the date and time of your project category as different categories may present at different times.
Choose a Presentation Format
The following project categories are poster only with no access to technology:
- Biological & Life Sciences
- Business & Economics Education
- Engineering
- Physical Sciences
- Social Sciences
Those participating in the Humanities, Arts, Music & Design categories may choose to present in any of the three formats: poster, oral presentation, or performance. Oral presentations will have access to technology.
Write Your Abstract
An abstract is a summary of your research, usually in one paragraph of 300 words or less, that includes:
- Overall purpose of the study and the research problem(s)
- Basic design of the study
- Major findings or trends as a result of your analysis
- Brief summary of your interpretations and conclusions
Abstracts must be no longer that 300 words in length. Examples of past abstract submissions can be found HERE.
Your abstract will be published in the URS Abstract Booklet; therefore, you should submit a high-quality version approved by your faculty mentor.
It is your responsibility to check with your research mentor as to whether or not your research project is restricted (i.e., classified, export controlled (EAR/ITAR), proprietary or other restrictions). If your mentor identifies your research as restricted, the release of any information to the public must be coordinated with the Office of Research Compliance and Security to obtain required authorizations before release. Severe penalties, both civil and criminal, may result if restricted information is made public without the proper authorizations.
Complete the Submission Form
Once you have completed the above steps, you are ready to submit your abstract to participate in the URS.
Please fill out all of the information in the submission form, paying close attention to detail as some of this information will be published in the URS Abstract Booklet.
Upon completion of the submission form, you and your listed faculty mentor will receive an email acknowledgement of your registration. If you do not receive a confirmation email, you are not registered.
Group Projects
Group projects are an integral part of research and are encouraged. However, there should be only one designated principal presenter during the event.
The principal presenter should complete the submission form with his or her name and information and can list any co-authors and collaborators in the submission form. Names of any co-authors and/or collaborators will appear in the Abstract Booklet.
Groups may submit individual abstracts and present different posters or give separate oral presentations for the same project when the research goals are different. A large part of the project evaluation is being able to answer questions showing a deep understanding of the work that has been done.
After submitting an abstract, you will need to prepare your poster or presentation. Guidelines and tools to help you create your products are included below. Additional design tips and research poster examples can be found HERE.
Preparing a Poster
On the day of the URS, you should bring your printed poster and tack or clips. The Office of Research Development will provide foam boards to mount your poster. Your poster should be no larger than 36 inches x 48 inches. The foam board can be turned vertically or horizontally to accommodate your poster.
Poster design help online:
- PowerPoint (Microsoft) Webex tutorial
- Publisher (Microsoft) Printable instructional handout, YouTube tutorial
- InDesign (Adobe) Printable instructional handout, YouTube tutorial
Design help workshops:
- MSU Library Poster Design Workshop (working on a date)
- Seton Hall University Academic Poster Presentation
The library has workshops (at the library and online) to help you learn the basics of poster design. Type "poster" in the calendar search bar to filter the workshops.
Printing Your Poster
The best on-campus option ( and usually the most cost-effective) for wide-format poster printing is the Mitchell Memorial Library. The form for print jobs can be found HERE. Also learn more about wide format printing HERE.
- Submit you design to be printed no less than 3 business days before you need it. It is always best practice to call and confirm the time needed for printing with the vendor.
- Library printing starts at approximately $7.50 per linear foot. Additional locations near campus include:
Preparing for an Oral Presentation or Performance
Guidelines:
- Ten minutes in length (there will be an additional three minutes for Q&A)
- Geared toward a non-field expert
- Accompanied by a visual slide show and/or handout for the audience
- May include a live demonstration or performance
The following technology will be available:
- Computer with access to the internet and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, etc...)
- Projector and screen
- Podium and microphone
- Clicker
After you submit your abstract, an email will be sent to you with the deadline for submitting your presentation (PowerPoint is preferred). If you should absolutely test your slide show before the presentation day. You may not use your own laptop. Advice for preparing an engaging presentation:
Check In Your Project
When you arrive at the event, you will need to check in before setting up your poster or reporting to the presentation room. Check-in tables will be located at the front entrance of the event space. All participants will receive an email with further instructions for check-in at least a week before the event. Projects will be listed under the name of the principal presenter (individual whose name was on the submission form). Poster presenters should arrive at their scheduled check-in time and oral presenters and performers should arrive at least 20 minutes before their scheduled presentation time.
Poster Presentation
Once you have checked in, you may set up your poster. The easels will be numbered with the corresponding number on your nametag and how you are listed in the Symposium Booklet.
You should be prepared with a two to three minute summary for visitors and evaluators using your poster as a visual guide. it is important that you can explain your research to people who may be unfamiliar with your subject area, and you should communicate the importance of your research to the broader public.
Throughout the duration of the poster sessions, you will be approached by at least two evaluators; they will be wearing name tags that identify them as such.. You should present your short summary to the evaluators. They may ask you follow-up questions about your research. The evaluators will then fill out a comment card listing the aspects of your presentation and poster that were strong and give you suggestions for improvement.
Once the poster session ends, you are responsible for removing your poster from the foamboard and easel. The Office of Research Development is not responsible for any forgotten, lost, or stolen materials and personal belongings.
Oral Presentations
The number on your name tag will be your project number. A presentation schedule will be emailed to you prior to the event. your presentation time will also be listed in the Symposium Booklet.
Once you have check in, you may go to the scheduled presentation room. Be mindful of the schedule and only enter and exit the presentation room between presentations to avoid disturbing other presenters. You will give your oral presentation at the scheduled time you have been assigned. We encourage you to attend and listen to other presenters.
A room assistant will be assigned to chair the presentation session. This individual will be responsible for introducing you and assisting with inviting audience questions after your presentation has concluded.
The room assistant will also be responsible for helping you stay on schedule and will signal you by using a sign when there are 2 minutes left, and when time is up. A trained ITS person will be available int he presentation room and will pull up your visual presentation on the computer/projector.
Once your presentation and Q&A has concluded, you may leave the presentation room. The Office of Research Development is not responsible for any forgotten, lost, or stolen materials and person belongings.
As participants, you are encouraged to:
- Wear professional/business attire
- Come prepared
- Poster presenters should arrive with their posters during the scheduled check-in time to set up.
- Oral presenters and performers should arrive at the presentation room at least 20 minutes before their scheduled presentation time. Please wait until students are finished delivering presentations (or are in between presentations) to enter or exit.
- Poster presenters stay with your poster for the entirety of the session.
- Visit the event space prior to the event to get a feel for the building.
- Review the map and schedule in the Abstract Booklet prior to the event.
- Notify LeLe Kirkpatrick in the Office of Research Development at lele@ord.msstate.edu in a timely manner if you are unable to present for any reason. If you fail to notify and do not show up to the symposium, an email will be sent to your mentor.
All MSU students, staff, and faculty should park in their designated permit areas. Guests and visitors to MSU can view parking options provided by MSU Transportation HERE.
Special Area Competitions only take place during the Spring Symposium.
Students have the opportunity to compete in Special Area Competitions sponsored by various departments and colleges across campus. These Special Area Competitions give students the opportunity to be recognized for their work in a wide variety of areas. Special Area Competitions are theme driven (e.g., public health) or discipline driven (e.g., engineering). A list of the Symposium Special Area Competitions can be found HERE.
Presenters who wish to be considered to compete in a Special Area Competition should designate that on their abstract submission form. After the abstract submission deadline, students selected for the Special Area Competitions will be notified of the separate rules and procedures by the hosting department or college. The Special Area Competitions take place at the same time as the symposium unless otherwise noted.
Students participating int he Spring Symposium event can also compete in the 3 Minute Research Pitch Competition. The goal of this program is to develop academic, presentation, and research communication skills and support he development of the undergraduate students' capacity to describe their research in language appropriate to a public audience. Students compete by presenting their research topic in three minutes or less. Students are to indicate their interest in participating in the competition on the registration form for the Spring event.
The Undergraduate Research Symposium and Showcase provide a forum for students to present faculty-guided student research and creative activity across disciplines. The URS is consistently growing, and this event provides an avenue for students not yet engaged in research to learn more about getting involved. We hope that you encourage your students to participate in either our spring symposium or summer showcase this year.
The faculty mentor listed by a student in the abstract submission form will be notified of the student’s entry for the Undergraduate Research Symposium or Showcase via email. The students are aware that all submitted abstracts should be vetted by a faculty research mentor prior to submission. Please ensure that students are aware of any funding sources involved in the research project and that the names and/or acronyms of those sponsors are accurately reflected in the abstract submission.
All students who complete a submission form will be published in the Abstract Booklet. Research mentors and sponsors will be listed along with their students’ abstracts. During presentations which are being judged, faculty mentors are not to intervene while a student is being questioned by a judge.
If you have questions, please email LeLe Kirkpatrick at lele@ord.msstate.edu.
Thank you for volunteering to serve as an evaluator for the Undergraduate Research Symposium/Showcase.
Your role as an evaluator is to visit all of your assigned posters, review the poster, engage with the student and ask them questions. You will be provided with comment cards for each student in which you are assigned. After engaging with each student, take a few minutes to fill out the comment card with written feedback on strengths and areas for improvement. Please return the comment card to that student immediately after comment card completion.
Comment Guidelines
- Consider both the poster itself (including content and format) and the way the student communicates their research.
- Your words have weight. Be encouraging and selective with your constructive feedback.
- Provide examples of how the student might address the issue. For example, instead of saying "your graphs are bad," say "consider increasing the font size of your graphs."
- Provide specific information over general comments: "Your responses indicated that you know your data well" or "You explained the methods very clearly" is more helpful than "You did great."
- Remember this event may be the first time an undergraduate student has engaged in research and is presenting it publicly. It represents a culmination of a significant amount of time and effort under guidance from a faculty member.
General Guidelines
- If you volunteer to be an evaluator for the Undergraduate Research Symposium/Showcase, you will be emailed with directions and the time of the session you will evaluate. Please be on time.
- If you cannot be there at your assigned time or cannot be there at all, please find someone to replace you or email LeLe Kirkpatrick at lele@ord.msstate.edu in a timely manner. We count on your expertise in evaluating these students that have worked so hard to prepare for this event.
- Make sure to give each assigned student a comment card before that session is over. If you cannot complete them before the session is over, then please take them to the check-in table and one of our staff will see that the student receives their card.
If you have any questions, please contact LeLe Kirkpatrick at lele@ord.msstate.edu.