Creating a New Generation of Sustainability Leaders
The Sustainable LA Grand Challenge Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP) is an intensive and highly competitive interdisciplinary program that unites undergraduates in their first research experiences in urban sustainability.
The program was created in 2014 in partnership with UCLA’s Undergraduate Research Center and the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. This year-long course was developed to attract a diverse student body to urban sustainability and ensure that these students are equipped with the skills necessary to conduct research within their chosen majors, as well as to thrive in interdisciplinary teams to address one of society’s greatest challenges.
Program Components
- Placement in a research setting where students conduct research under the mentorship of the faculty and senior researchers.
- A concurrent course that meets once per week that provides students with a background in urban sustainability, research and communication skills, and professional development.
- An interdisciplinary research experience among peers to address real urban sustainability challenges in the Los Angeles region. This experience takes place under the guidance of the course instructor, separate from the faculty-mentored research experience.
Eligibility
The program is open to students across all majors who will be in their 2nd or 3rd years during the year in which the program is offered. Students in their 4th year or later may apply to be Project Consultants for the course.
Registration Details
The course is offered for two units each quarter, with P/NP in the Fall and letter grades in the Winter and Spring quarters. Additionally, each student will register for two units of SRP99 each quarter (P/NP).
SLAGC-URSP Project Consultants
Students in their 4th year or later may apply to be Project Consultants for the course. Project Consultants play a leadership role and do not participate in the faculty-mentored research experience. This is an academic year-long commitment and course credit will be given. Project Consultants are expected to attend the course and lead one of the SLAGC-URSP interdisciplinary research student groups. Project Consultants will meet with the course instructor for one hour per week outside of instruction time. Former URSP students are highly encouraged to apply to be Project Consultants. Course Project Consultants will register for two units each quarter, with P/NP in the Fall and letter grades in the Winter and Spring quarters.
If you have questions or need more information, please email rshipe@ucla.edu
To enroll in the Sustainable LA Grand Challenge Undergraduate Research Scholars Program as a student, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be able to commit to a year-long class and research experience
- Be a UCLA undergraduate (all majors are welcome!)
- Be a 2nd or 3rd year student in Fall of the year in which the course takes place
- Have a minimum 2.7 GPA
To enroll in the Sustainable LA Grand Challenge Undergraduate Research Scholars Program as a Project Consultant, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be able to commit to a year-long class and leadership experience
- Be a UCLA undergraduate (all majors are welcome!)
- Be a 4th year or above student in Fall of the year in which the course takes place
- Have a minimum 2.7 GPA
