Program Overview

The Catherine J. Randall Research Scholars Program is a nationally recognized interdisciplinary undergraduate research program that pairs exceptional and highly motivated students directly with leading research professors and cutting-edge information management technology to complete scholarly research projects in various fields of study. Regardless of the field that students intend to pursue, the skills they develop in applying research methods, project management and problem-solving techniques will contribute to their success in any academic pursuit or future career.

Founded in 1968 as the Computer-Based Honors Program, the Randall Research Scholars Program (RRSP) was the nation's first interdisciplinary undergraduate research program and has been cited as one of the six most intriguing research programs in the country by the National Institute of Education. After over 50 years of tradition and excellence, RRSP continues to be an innovative leader in connecting undergraduate students to research opportunities.

Students whose careers will be defined through their research endeavors are accepted into the program during their final year of high school through a highly selective application process. During their freshman year, RRS students complete an intensive series of courses on problem-solving techniques, information technology fundamentals, project management principles, and research fundamentals. These essential skills enable students to quickly learn and adapt to the new knowledge domains and technical environments required for faculty-directed research projects.

Throughout their sophomore to senior years, RRS students will select research projects to work on with a faculty member who will serve as their project director. Students are required to present their research to a wide range of audience members, venues, and media to facilitate knowledge transfer and professional growth. Students will typically work on projects in areas related to their academic discipline; however, they may elect to work in an unrelated field to challenge themselves and broaden their exposure to academic disciplines and research.

Program Objectives

The mission of RRSP is to guide students to achieve the highest level of research in terms of quality, depth, and professionalism and to foster an interdisciplinary community of students who push one another to new heights. Through this experience, students learn how to conduct research employing computing technologies associated with the study of a research phenomenon. The student, in consultation with the Program Director, shall choose a research project and work under the mentorship of a faculty member in a selected field of study. The faculty member will serve as a project director and the student will serve as a research assistant. The student and faculty member will negotiate a contract for the scope of work the student is to accomplish during the specified academic period. The student will participate in the project design, execution, interpretation, and communication of the results of the project. The project director will be responsible for supervision of the student and evaluating the quality, depth, timeliness, and professionalism associated with the student's work process and product.

More information about the program objectives can be found on the RRSP Course Overview Website.

More information on the course requirements can be found on the RRSP Course Requirments Website.

Class Structure

Freshman Year

Each freshman semester consists of a four hour class. During the first semester, students learn the basics of computer hardware, networking, and programming. At the end of the first semester, freshmen complete a large programming project. Students dive deeper into programming in the second semester, learning how multiple languages can mix together to create a finished product. By the end of the freshman classes, students gain a better understanding of data management and computer programming that they can utilize in their future research.

The freshman classes are taught by our freshman instructor Mr. Darren Evans Young. He has taught the introductory classes for RRSP for over 30 years. Learn more by reading Darren Evans-Young's Biography Page.

Seminar

Following successful completion of the two freshmen courses, students must take 4 semesters of RRS Research Seminar courses. It is required that the first semester of seminar be taken immediately following RRSP 102, but the remaining seminars can be taken in any order. This gives students flexibility to study abroad or complete an internship or co-op. Seminars are 3 hour courses: 1 hour is spent in the classroom with the RRS director, and the remaining 2 hours are completed through work on an independent research project. Students typically spend 10-12 hours per week on their research projects. During the classroom portion of the seminars, students develop professional skills such as research pitches, presentations, and interviews. They also participate in round table discussions/debates and learn how to communicate their research initiatives to an audience. RRS students present their research at RRS Live in the fall and complete poster presentations in the spring. Seminar is also a place where students may lean on each other to brainstorm or work through any issues in their research projects. These small seminar style classes increase the community within RRSP and allow students to learn from a wide range of disciplines.

Seminar is taught by our program director, Dr. Jeff Gray. Learn more by reading Dr. Jeff Gray's Biography Page.

Life in the Program

If you ask students what their favorite part of RRSP is, many will say the community within the program. The program hosts lots of social events throughout the year to build bonds among students. RRSP has a computer lab designated for the program, and many students use this space to meet with study groups, work on their projects, or to simply socialize with other RRS students. The community dimension of RRS-PRO hosts many events throughout the year such as holiday gatherings, watch parties for sports, movie nights, and more! Many students also participate in intramural sports through RRSP, promoting teamwork and collaborate among peers. These relationships are what make RRS more than just a program, but rather one big family.

The Fall 2025 Meet the Freshman mingler event