How Do I Get Started Undergraduate Research?

Great question! We currently have about 25% of our undergraduates involved in research within the School during any given semester, and we'd love to see that number increase! Here are some tips on getting started.

 

See also this link Undergraduate Research

1. Figure out with whom you'd like to work
Check out the faculty biographies on the School website. Don't worry if you don't understand everything in the biography--it's very specific to the area of research. Just use it to get a general idea of what the professor does and whether you'd be interested. Don't forget that you can also do research in other departments.  There is a lot of overlap between chemistry, biology, chemical engineering, physics, and biomedical engineering.  All of those are good places to look, too.

You can also find research opportunities on our new "Undergraduate Research Projects" page.

2. Draft an email to the professor to request a brief appointment to discuss their work and the possibility of working with them. The email should be succinct but also convey the following information:

• your class (FR, SO, etc.)
• what CHEM courses you've taken, especially lab classes
• if you took any AP science courses, those can also be listed
• why you are interested in research, in general (I want to make my resume look better is not a good reason)
• why you are interested in this research in particular
• any pertinent research experience you already have

Some professors like for you to include a resume as an attachment. This is probably more pertinent for students farther along in their academic careers.

3. Tips for making a good first impression

• Be professional--do NOT start the email with, "Hey" or use first names
• Err on the side of being too formal (Dear Dr. or Prof.)
• Proofread--and have someone else proofread for you

You may have to email several professors to find someone that has space and resources for you and you are interested in working with. We suggest targeting 4-5 professors as a start.  Be patient and persistent!

4. After you get a position
Congratulations! Now we need to make sure there is a record of your work. You can sign up for academic credits or do this on an audit basis. The latter just means that you are not paying for the credit hours and you are not receiving credit for them. It's just a record keeping method and it's nice for you for the work to show on your transcript.

Fill out the Undergraduate Research Course Approval form at this link.

2698 = FR/SO standing, audit based
2699 = FR/SO standing, credit based (pass/fail)
4698 = JR/SR standing, audit based
4699 = JR/SR standing, credit based (letter grade)

The "adviser's signature" is your research adviser, not your academic one.

Return the form to Ms. Ashley Edwards in Molecular Science and Engineering, room 2222K. She will set up the course in Oscar and email you with the CRN.

Be sure to read the information at the bottom of the form detailing what is expected of you at the end of the semester (copy of lab notebook for 2698/9 and report for 4698/9).