St. Mary’s Projects
The St. Mary’s Project – our most popular undergraduate research opportunity – is a culminating project of original research, scholarship, or creative performance undertaken in the senior year. Approximately 60% of our students complete a St. Mary’s Project.
Examples of St. Mary’s Projects
A research photograph taken by Professor of Biology Karen Crawford has been selected by Nature as one of the top 10 scientific images of 2020.
St. Mary’s Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF)
SURF is an eight-week summer program at St. Mary’s College in which students from a variety of disciplines work on self-chosen research topics with guidance from faculty mentors. The SURF program culminates in July with a SURF symposium, a group of presentations to the St. Mary’s College community.
Learn about SURF
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
SMCM has two active grants with the National Science Foundation that fund recurring REU programs. These paid summer research experiences allow students to perform focused research in their areas of interest.
- A six-week research experience in mathematics and computer science would typically be available to sophomores and juniors, but is currently postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- A separate eight-week program focuses on archaeological investigations of colonial Maryland and is scheduled to begin its inaugural year in the summer of 2021.
Learn about the Mathematics & Computer Science REU
Learn about the Archaeology REU
Field Research
Our historic campus at Maryland’s first capital provides a breadth of field study opportunities for students. Affiliations with Historic St. Mary’s City and nearby Jefferson Patterson Park provide students rich opportunities to engage in internships, independent studies, senior projects, and hands-on professional research.
Participate in Archaeology Lab