Skip navigation, view page content

Begin OSU masthead and toolbar

  1. Help
  2. Campus map
  3. Find people
  4. Webmail


Skip Navigation Links.

Myths of the Denman
Myth: The Denman is only for Honors or Scholars students.
The Denman Undergraduate Research Forum is for any OSU student. In 2007 out of 352 participants, 92 students were neither Honors nor Scholars students - approximately 26%.

Myth: The Denman is only for upperclassmen.
The Denman Forum is for all ranks of students; some graduated seniors are eligible to compete as well. “To be eligible for the 2008 Forum competition, an undergraduate student must be in good standing with the University and must not have graduated before August 26, 2007. “ This means that even if you graduate at the end of Autumn or Winter Quarter previous to the Denman, you are still eligible to participate

In 2007 Denman participants consisted of 6 freshmen; 11 sophomores; 51 juniors; 105 seniors; and 179 graduating seniors to equal 352 participants. One freshman, Kara Riggs, even won first place in her category of Agriculture and Environmental Science.

Myth: The Denman is mainly for science or engineering majors as that is where most research takes place.
The Denman Forum consistently features research in 11 or 12 categories. Categories for 2007 were:
Agriculture/Environmental Science 37
Art/Architecture 36
Biological Sciences 66
Business/Social Behavioral Sciences 23
Education/Speech & Hearing Science 16
Engineering 36
Health Professions – Clinical 30
Health Professions – Laboratory/Cellular 24
Humanities 25
Mathematical & Physical Sciences 35
Psychology 24

Categories and category combinations are determined by the number of participants in each category.

Myth: Research that is presented at the Denman has to be done in a laboratory.
Based on the categories above it can be seen that this is not true; research can be conducted in any field.

Myth: Research that is presented at the Denman has to be complete with results – no research in progress is allowed.
Students can present projects that are “research in progress,” but students do need to be far enough along in their research that they have some kind of results to present. It does not need to be complete, but some progress must be made.

Myth: All presentations at the Denman must be done individually.
There have been many groups present at the Denman – up to 3 individuals have been on a team at once. Each presenter does have to register individually even if he/she is presenting in a group. The initial registrant will enter all the group members and then each of the other group members will receive an e-mail prompting them to fill out his/her information as well.

Myth: A student can only present at the Denman once during his/her college career.
Students can participate at the Denman every year that they are eligible. To be eligible for the 2007 Forum competition, an undergraduate student must be in good standing with the University and must not have graduated before August 27, 2006. For example, in 2007, 43 out of 354 were repeat presenters; in 2006, 37 out of 352 were return presenters.


Frequently Asked Questions About the Denman
What kind of help is available to students who want to participate in the Denman? There are many resources on the Denman website and Honors & Scholars staff is available to talk with students about the event as well. Students can also visit the Undergraduate Research Office and/or talk to advisors and upperclassmen in your department who have been part of the Denman in the past

Will I have to speak in front of large groups of people?
No, judges come to your booth one at a time and ask you to tell them about your research. Each presentation is judged three times. Other people may attend the Denman and ask you questions, so you may be presenting in front of smaller groups of people as well.

Why are there judges? What do they do?
Denman judges are made up of OSU faculty members and Ph.D. graduate students and some corporate judges. Judges evaluate projects by listening to a presentation about your research and evaluating the quality, information, and overall presentation of your poster. The judges’ evaluation sheet will be available for viewing on the Denman website when the time draws closer to the event.

What do I do if I have classes on Wednesdays?
The University Honors & Scholars Center provides excuse letters for Denman participants to give to their professors if they have class during the Denman. These letters will be available for pick-up 2-3 weeks before the event. All departments are sent the date of the Denman early in Fall Quarter in the hopes that they will not schedule exams or other important presentations on the day of the Denman.

What are the benefits of participating in the Denman?
There are many benefits to participating in the Denman which include:
  • Public-speaking experience
  • Good experience for professional and graduate school applications and coursework
  • Increasing your knowledge and depth of understanding about your research
  • Gaining public exposure for your research
  • Getting feedback about your research
  • Networking with your peers and faculty at the university
  • Opportunity to win cash prizes
  • Learning about other research that is being done at the university
  • Possibility of learning about possible internships and jobs
  • Opportunity to apply for the Brazil Research Exchange Program
  • Prestige of participating in the university’s largest research competition
  • It is an amazing experience! What does it mean to be a winner at the Denman?
  • Cash prizes – last year’s prize for 1st place in each category was $700
  • A Denman Medal
  • Publicity in your hometown newspaper and on campus
  • Possible opportunities to present at an OSU Board of Trustees Meetings and/or other high profile meetings on campus
Please contact The University Honors & Scholars Center Denman Committee if you
have any questions at (614)292-1794 or e-mail us at denmanforum@osu.edu