How to submit your course for Research Intensive Designation (RI)

RI designated courses are ones in which undergraduate students actively engage in the process of research and inquiry at the intensive level through projects and assignments. These projects should count for a significant portion of the course grade.

Research Intensive (RI) Course designation manual

Faculty submitting courses for RI designation should consult with your College Liaison for assistance in preparing RI designation materials. Updated RI syllabi should demonstrate the following.

1. Actively engage students in the process of research and inquiry which generate tangible outcomes
2. Engage students in intensive-level research and inquiry
3. Provide opportunities for students to communicate the design, method and results
4. Demonstrate how the course addresses and evaluates all six student learning outcomes (SLOs): 1. Knowledge, 2. Formulate Question, 3.Plan of Action, 4. Critical Thinking, 5. Ethics, and 6. Communication. The committee provides recommended language to facilitate the inclusion of “Ethics” and “Communication” SLOs in your syllabus.

5. Description of all 6 Student Learning Outcomes and how they apply to your course
6. A significant portion of the course grade must be tied to the RI assignment(s) or products
7. The course must be taken for a letter grade
8. Demonstrate individual assessment of student research work (team projects are allowed).
9. Include RI language in the syllabus
10. Include RI in the title of the course, i.e. (RI: Course title)
11. Starting Fall 2023 all RI course syllabi should include Undergraduate Certificate language

NOTE: Any syllabi submitted for review should also adhere to the Provosts guidelines for course syllabi, including but not limited to

  • Course Description (Please include Pre-requisites)
  • Classroom etiquette policy (if applicable)
  • Attendance Policy Statement
  • Disability Policy Statement
  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Center
  • Code of Academic Integrity Policy statement
  • COVID 19 Statement (Please include language while applicable)

Please review the worksheet, which the committee uses to evaluate your syllabi as you prepare your materials.

RI Course Designation Procedures

There are two documents required to apply for RI course designation:

  1. A course syllabus
    • RI course syllabus requirements, please refer to: RI syllabus worksheet that the committee applies to evaluate your course
    • A sample Research intensive course syllabus is provided (RI syllabus)

2. The appropriate form

  • New Course form.
  • Course Change form for existing courses where RI will be included permanently and in all sections.

Note: If the course impacts a program, a New/Change Program Form is required

Submitting your course for RI Designation - Approval process

If you are submitting an RI Course for consideration, please check the syllabi, course forms and program changes for accuracy.-

  1. Please use the RI course syllabus worksheet that the committee applies to evaluate your course, and consult with your College Liaison for assistance in preparing RI designation materials.
  1. Submit your course to the Department and College undergraduate committees for approval.
  2. Submit the approved course application package to the URCC for review (materials listed above), one week prior to the meeting date. Please see the URCC meeting schedule for timeline planning.
  • These documents must be sent to Patricia Sampedro psampedr@fau.edu one week before the URCC meeting.
  1. URCC reviews and makes recommendations on all completed RI Designation proposals to UUPC.
  2. UUPC approved proposals will continue through the university channels for approval. This includes Steering and Policy, Univ. Faculty Senate, and State.
  3. Once the Statewide Course Numbering System, SCNS approves the course, the Registrar’s Office adds the course for scheduling and adds it to the University Catalog. Department chairs will receive a copy of the SCNS report to inform them the course has received all approvals and is ready for scheduling.

Proposals not approved by the URCC may be revised and resubmitted.

Recommended Timelines for RI Designation (here)

For faculty who wish to have their courses RI approved and listed on the fall schedule , there are three deadlines to be considered:

  • For RI designated courses to be included before advanced registration , course packages must be submitted and approved no later than the Nov URCC meet the year prior
  • For RI designated courses to be included “shortly after fall advance registration begins” , course packages must be submitted and approved no later than the January URCC meeting
  • For RI designated courses to be included towards the beginning of the regular registration period , course packages must be submitted and approved no later than the February URCC meeting

For faculty who wish to have their courses RI approved and listed on the spring schedule , there are three deadlines to be considered:

  • For RI designated courses to be included before advanced registration , course packages must be submitted and approved no later than the February URCC meet the year prior
  • For RI designated courses to be included “shortly after fall advance registration begins” , course packages must be submitted and approved no later than the April URCC meeting
  • For RI designated courses to be included towards the beginning of the regular registration period , course packages must be submitted and approved no later than the September URCC meeting

RI Designation and DIR Courses Approved

OURI tracks all courses, which have been approved by the University Committees and the State. Please signing with FAU single-sign on to access this document: RI and DIR Courses Approved list by College