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Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Why Engage in Research?
Hands-on research experience is one of the most effective ways to learn about science. It teaches you the culture of research laboratories, how to think logically to develop a hypothesis or exploratory question, and how to use published research to design novel experiments.
Research also serves as valuable preparation for graduate and professional programs or technical jobs. Opportunities range from academic coursework with research components to spending summers, semesters, or even four years working alongside professors and peers in a research laboratory.
How to Get Started
Arranging a research opportunity begins with identifying your interests and exploring the work underway in faculty laboratories.
- Do Your Homework: Review faculty research websites and read the abstracts of their recent publications.
- Peer Advice: Ask other students currently in Biology labs about their experiences to find a good fit.
- Assess Your Time: Typically, each credit of research requires about six hours per week. This includes reading, thinking, and discussing biology with labmates.
- Initial Contact: Email is the best way to reach a professor (avoid calling or texting).
Pro-Tips for Applicants:
- Plan Ahead: Contact professors in the spring for opportunities in the following fall.
- Summer Availability: Mentioning you are available during the summer can make you a more attractive candidate.
- Persistence: Most labs are at capacity. If a lab is full, ask if openings may arise next semester or if you can attend group meetings in the meantime.
Independent Study for Credit
Once you and a professor agree on your participation, provide them with your full name and 930 number. They will enter an override in Banner, allowing you to register. This must be completed before the add/drop period ends.
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Summer Research
On Campus
The Biology Department supports approximately 50 majors doing full-time summer research through internal and external funding.
- Benefits: Students working full-time for ten weeks receive free housing in campus residence halls courtesy of Arts & Sciences.
- Action: Follow the "How to Get Started" steps above to find faculty mentors.
Off Campus
Many majors gain experience through National Institutes of Health (NIH) internships or National Science Foundation (NSF) REU programs. Information is available through the Cohen Career Center.
Senior Honors
In their senior year, students may undertake an Honors project. This is a formal, year-long research experience that culminates in a written thesis and a public defense before a faculty committee. It offers greater challenges and rewards than typical faculty-supervised research.