What is Undergraduate Research?
Undergraduate Research is a wonderful and exciting way to expand your college experiences. As an undergraduate researcher, you will work side-by-side with faculty, graduate students and sometimes other undergraduates on the faculty member's research. The research projects are current and are applicable to today's science. You will learn valuable skills (lab skills, computer skills and/or other skills applicable to the research) that will help you find a job or grad. school spot after graduation.
What are research opportunities?
Research projects are diligent and studious searches for new discoveries. Research takes many forms, and can be conducted in any discipline, no matter if your interest is biology, medicine, chemistry or math. Students first need to identify their area of interest and then they need to explore the opportunities that are available to them in that area. Here are some examples:
- Laboratory Projects
- Experiential/Field Studies
- Senior Thesis/Term Papers
- Survey/Psychology Experiments
What are the advantages of participating in Undergraduate Research?
Working with a faculty mentor and building a relationship with faculty outside of a classroom setting provides students with a better understanding of the academic, social and research climate of this large university community in their academic program. Students develop a better understanding of how research is conducted and applied, are better able to talk with faculty about academic concerns, meet students with similar interests, identify academic and career interests and are privy to many special events and activities which enrich a student's university experience.
When should I start and how long should I do research?
There really is no right time - it's whenever you have an interest. Be sure you have done your homework, you have the time, and a faculty member is willing to mentor your project. Typically a research project lasts one year, but some students spend more than two years working on a project.
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