How to Design a CURE Class for Your Students This Semester

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Designing Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs)

What is a CURE Class?

A Guide to Course-based Undergraduate Research highlights several key elements that make Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences, or CUREs, distinctive. There are some design features that are inherent to all CURES but there are also those that depend on educational and personal goals. In order to implement a CURE and achieve program goals, it is important to strategically integrate the CURE into your course. 

Goals & Considerations for Designing a CURE Class

There are different goals to consider when implementing a CURE. Some of the implementation insight from A Guide to Course-based Undergraduate Research is organized in the following table:

CURE’s Overarching Goal	Ideal Implementation
To allow students the opportunity to dabble in research and consider it as a potential career path	Early curriculum integration is recommended. Students are able to experience and learn more about different options and opportunities in research.
To improve student retention	Integrate the CURE in the curriculum prior to the point at which students leave.
To engage students in experiential learning	Integration can be done at any point in the curriculum.

The inherent similarity among CUREs is that they involve students in research that can produce actual discoveries relevant to the stakeholders. Students should also be involved with iterative work that includes troubleshooting, problem-solving and other aspects of research.

To learn more about developing and implementing CUREs, get your copy of A Guide to Course-based Undergraduate Research today!