Undergraduate Research

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Undergraduate Research

• Nicole Priolo, Office of Undergraduate Research
• ugr_at_tamu.edu

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What is Undergraduate Research?

• Can look different in each discipline
• Examples
• Assisting faculty/grad students in the lab
• Undergraduate thesis (Fellows or Scholars
  Program)
• Capstone Design Experience
• Required research hours (491, 485, etc.)
• Summer research opportunities (REUs)
• Internship

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Why should I do Undergraduate Research?

• Intellectual satisfaction
• Gain technical skills
• Gain soft skills
• Gain a life-long mentor in research advisor
• Form a professional network with research
  colleagues
• Gain experience attractive to graduate schools,
  professional schools, and employers

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When should I do Undergraduate Research?

• Most begin in their junior or senior years (CHEM
  491, BIOL 491)
• Some begin in freshman or sophomore years (CHEM
  291, BIOL 291)
• Can begin research in summer
• Continue the following academic year
• Devote at least a 3 hour time block to research
  every week ( 1 credit)
• Many advisors require more time.

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When should I begin planning for research?

• Now!
• Fitting research courses into your schedule
  restrictions in certain departments
• Find a research mentor
• Internships/Summer Research Opportunities -
  application deadlines can be 6 months in advance

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Where should I do Undergraduate Research?

• On Campus (within your department)
• Scholars/Fellows Programs
• Summer Research Opportunities
• Internships

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Finding a Research Advisor

• 1-2 months BEFORE beginning research
• Appointments with several faculty members
• Bring resume
• Ask questions
• What is the project?
• What hours will I work?
• Who will I work with?
• Requirements for written and oral presentations?
• Will I attend weekly group meetings?
• Working for credit, volunteer, or stipend?

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Undergraduate Research Scholars Program

• Program Components
• Year-long research
• Written thesis
• Public presentation
• Requirements
• 3.0 GPR
• 60 hours (24 hours at Texas AM)
• 6 hours research credit (485, 491, etc.)
• Application proposal due in April

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Undergraduate Research Fellows Program (Honors
Office)

• Program Components
• Year-long research
• Written thesis
• Public presentation
• Requirements
• 3.5 GPR
• 9 hours of honors courses at Texas AM
• Application proposal in Spring for following
  year
• http//honors.tamu.edu/Honors/Community/Fellows/fe
  llows.aspx

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Summer Research Opportunties

• REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates)
• Usually funded by NSF
• Paid
• Offered at Texas AM and all over the country
• Usually last 8-12 weeks

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How to find Summer Research Opportunities
http//ugr.tamu.edu
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How to find Summer Research Opportunities (cont.)
http//nsf.gov/
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Government Internships
http//science.gov/internships/undergrad.html
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Undergraduate Research Abroad

• German Academic Exchange Service
• http//www.daad.de/rise/en/index.html
• Internships in Science and Engineering
• More opportunities you just have to look for
  them!

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Do I get paid or get course credit?

• Usually Paid Off campus summer research
  laboratory experiences
• Stipend depends on nature length of your
  experience
• Sometimes, travel and housing expenses are
  supplied
• Sometimes paid On campus research experiences
• Depends on the faculty advisor
• It is often easier to find a research advisor who
  is willing to give you course credit rather than
  a stipend

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Where can I go for more information?

• Office of Undergraduate Research website,
  http//ugr.tamu.edu/
• Internal/External opportunities
• News Events
• Academic Competitions
• Undergraduate Research Listserv

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Contact Us!

• Office of Undergraduate Research
• ugr_at_tamu.edu
• 458-0039
• http//ugr.tamu.edu
• On Campus
• Jack K. Williams Administration Bldg.
• 318A/318B