Hands-on research is not only encouraged here — it’s a fundamental part of your education. You’ll delve into complex projects at the undergraduate level, working in a real lab and earning valuable experience in proposing, organizing and conducting real research. You’ll even have the opportunity to get published in academic journals as an undergraduate student.
Our ability to offer exceptional student research opportunities is due to our rigorous teaching and research program, attracting millions in external research funding annually. Research Opportunities for Undergraduate Students
Research Opportunities for Graduate Students
Student Research Day: The annual event highlights the impact of student research at StFX.
Science Atlantic: University student research across Atlantic Canada
Shae Nickerson, of Hazel Hill, Guysborough County, NS, has capped off her student career at StFX winning a national medal for outstanding work on her thesis. Ms. Nickerson, who graduated from StFX in May, 2020 with an honours BSc in geoscience, was awarded the Léopold Gélinas Medal for her BSc thesis from the Geological Association of Canada Volcanology and Igneous Petrology Division. The award annually recognizes the most outstanding undergraduate thesis written by a Canadian student or an international student studying at a Canadian university that comprises material related to volcanology (the study of volcanoes and volcanic rocks such as basalt) and/or igneous petrology (the study of the processes responsible for the origin of igneous rocks such as granite). Nominated theses are evaluated based on originality, validity of concepts, organization and presentation of data, understanding of volcanology and petrology, and depth of research. “Shae’s thesis entitled,“The mineralogy and petrogenesis of rare-element granitic pegmatites in northeastern Nova Scotia,” was rated very highly by the award adjudicators and it is an honour for her to receive this national medal,” says StFX earth sciences professor Dr. Donnelly Archibald, Ms. Nickerson’s supervisor.
StFX students receive over 50 undergraduate student research awards each summer to undertake a research project under the supervision of a StFX faculty mentor.