Student Course Development Projects

Student Course Development Projects (SCDP) provide funding for AS&E course instructors to hire an undergraduate to assist in the development of new course content, learning activities, or learning materials. For instance, an instructor might employ a student to build collections of homework problems or in-class examples, design and test lab activities, or develop online learning materials.

The student is expected to work on the project during the summer preceding the academic year in which the faculty member plans to use the student’s work. Projects must entail a substantial volume of work for the student—approximately six weeks of full-time work. Awards cover the cost of a stipend to the student in the amount of $3,648, six weeks of on-campus housing for the student during that summer, and can cover up to $500 of the cost of any materials or other expenses related to the project.

Applying

To apply for program funding, you must submit a proposal that:

  • Is no more than 750 words
  • Names the student you propose to employ
  • Describes the nature of the work the student will do
  • Describes how you, the instructor, intend to use the products of the student’s work
  • Includes a budget that specifies any funds required for materials

The application deadline for funding for the summer of 2024 is April 1, 2024, and we will announce funding decisions by April 15, 2024.

Funding recipients must complete assessment activities to assist the Teaching Center in evaluating and improving the program.  These typically include a student survey, an instructor survey, a folder of the student's summer work product, and a 1-2 page final report outlining the work completed.

Apply Online

Selecting Proposals

Successful proposals require the student to think critically about how learning works in the instructor's course, and to work creatively and collaboratively with the instructor to design activities and produce materials that enhance that learning. In addition, we prefer, although do not require, that the instructor include in the proposal a plan for the assessment, when deployed, of the activities or materials produced by the student.

Assistance

Teaching Center staff are happy to assist instructors in designing projects, preparing proposals and identifying students to work on projects. If you have any questions about the program or would like assistance in preparing a proposal, please contact the Teaching Center.