Undergraduate Research

Research on Your Transcript

Sandy Justice with student

course offerings for undergraduate researchers

is a course offering for undergraduate students engaging in a research and mentoring opportunity with a USF faculty member. This course does not match students with faculty mentors, so students must have already identified a mentor prior to requesting this course. Students must request permit to register for this course.

Successful completion of this pass or fail course [S/U grading] will be reflected on the academic transcript; if a student withdraws, the course will be documented on the transcript with a W. To be eligible for the course, the following criteria must be met:

  • A faculty mentor sponsors the research activity (faculty must have clinical, joint, regular, research, or visiting faculty appointment at USF).
  • Research activity occurs for minimum of 5 hours each week.
  • Research activity occurs in the semester the permit is requested.

Students are not required to complete or any other course to be eligible for IDS 4914. This course is recommended for junior and senior classification; however, if a student receives approval from a faculty mentor, they are still eligible to take this course.

Sections of IDS 4914 are set-up on the alternate calendar schedule to allow students to continue to register for the course after drop-add week; however, this course will not be added to the schedule after the end of the term.

IDS 4914 can be repeated up to four (4) times.

The creation of IDS 4914 courses has transitioned to the individual academic colleges and departments. Colleges and Departments should schedule their sections of IDS 4914 if they have a faculty member leading undergraduate research.

Faculty members interested in teaching a section of IDS 4914 should contact their department chair or department scheduler regarding the scheduling, permitting, and grading process. Students should work with their instructor or advisor to enroll in the proper section.

Undergraduate Research Badge

Honoring exceptional dedication, innovative ideas, and scholarly rigor in undergraduate research, SERI awards the Undergraduate Research Badge to students for their impactful contributions, demonstrating the ability to design and implement rigorous methodologies, analyze information critically, and address challenges creatively and effectively. This recognition also celebrates the skill in presenting findings coherently and the commitment to upholding ethical standards in all research practices.

Register for IDS2912 for Summer 2025, CRN 51121: This is a hybrid, alternative calendar course that runs from 5/19/25 - 7/25/25. Learn how to register for an alternative calendar course.

Badge Criteria

  1. Complete with an S grade or other course approved as meeting IDS 2912 competencies with a C or better.

  2. Complete with an S grade.

  3. Present at the Spring OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference or Summer Symposium.
  • Each of the three components above must be satisfied. Two of the same components cannot suffice for another.

  • Send proof of completed requirements to rsch-seri@usf.edu.

  • For proof of course completion, you may use an Oasis screen shot clearly showing your name and the course completion date.
  • For the Spring Research Conference participation, SERI can verify the records from 2021 to the present. Just send the year you participated and we will verify on our end.

  • For the Summer Research Symposium, SERI can verify the records from 2023 to the present. Just send the year you participated and we will verify on our end.

IMPORTANT: Due to Floridas broad open records law, email to or from university employees is public record, available to the public and the media upon request. For this reason, please obscure personally identifiable information other than your name on your records when you email us. 

Currently enrolled students may earn the badge retroactively.  

About the Badge

  • Once your activities have been verified, you will receive an email from a USF email address inviting you to claim your badge.

  • Badges are issued by USF's Office of Microcredentials through Credly.

  • Earned Badges can be proudly shared on social media and placed in your email signature line.