Whether participating in an intensive program over the summer, pursuing research-based coursework or working directly with a faculty mentor to explore your unique interests, there are numerous ways to engage with research and elevate your learning to the next level.
Cultivate valuable workplace skills, develop professional connections and set yourself apart from the crowd. No matter your goals or level of experience, AACC has a research path for you.
Explore all the opportunities available for you to connect with research projects at AACC. Share your interest and contact information by completing the Research Interest Form so that you can be further connected to offerings that meet your interest.
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For AACC Students:
Join our life and physical sciences faculty for the Research-Intensive Summer Experience (RISE). Work directly with a faculty mentor to conduct experimentation, gather data and present your findings in this accelerated program.
When: Beginning of June
Structure: Two weeks, eight hours per day, Monday through Friday
For High School Students (current and graduating):
Want to dive into research but are still in high school? Are you graduating in summer 2025 and looking to get a head start before starting college in the fall? Join us for the first High-RISE cohort, a version of the RISE program aimed exclusively at high school students.
When: Beginning of August (before school begins)
Structure: Two weeks, eight hours per day, Monday through Friday
Benefits to Both Programs:
Applications open in Spring - check back regularly, or fill out the Research Interest Form to get notified as soon as they open!
Have you ever wanted to explore research, but weren't sure where to begin? AACC offers dedicated coursework designed to introduce you to the research environment.
Earn credit while exploring what goes into research projects with the following course sequence:
SCI-101: Introduction to Research (1 credit; one hour of lecture/week)
SCI-201: Research Experience (2 credits; one hour of lecture, two hours of lab/week)
SCI-202: Research Communication (1 credit; one hour of lecture/week)
By enrolling in these courses, you will work with a faculty member in a small, in-person group setting to learn the basics of scientific research. If taken as a sequence, you will have the opportunity to conduct independent research culminating in presentation and/or publication. These courses may be taken in conjunction with any of the other offerings presented on this page, or as independent coursework.
See catalog pages (linked above) for more details.
The Journal of Emerging Scholarship is the annual publication of student research. Showcasing the incredible diversity of projects and investigations conducted by students at AACC, it features entirely undergraduate research from across the academic disciplines.
If you are conducting research at AACC, you are eligible to submit your work to be considered for publication. Be sure to review the criteria. If your work fits the requirements, you are encouraged to submit a manuscript for review.
Note: You will need a faculty mentor for this process. Consider reaching out to an instructor in the area of your research (past or present), or contact members of our Journal Editorial Board (see below) to get connected with a mentor!
Check out the digital version of the journal to learn more about it:
Questions? Email Mickey Dehn ([email protected]) or Matt Bem ([email protected]).
Have a burning research question, but want to explore your goals in a different setting other than those highlighted above? Consider engaging in independent research at AACC.
Working with a faculty mentor, you may choose to conduct an independent inquiry centered on a topic of personal interest.
If approved by your faculty mentor, you may be eligible to pursue your research as Independent Study; otherwise, your work will be conducted outside of standard course hours. Certain programs (i.e., the AACC Environmental Center) may even offer paid opportunities to engage in research.
If interested in this option, complete the Research Interest form to learn what opportunities are available.