Undergraduate Research

Why should you work on research? Participating in research provides a student with hands-on experience and one on one interactions with faculty that are invaluable when applying for jobs or for graduate school.  When you graduate, you will compete with many other students with degrees in biology or microbiology.  You must distinguish yourself from the others.  Doing research is perhaps the best way to do this!

What to expect from a research project.  Most faculty will expect their students to devote many hours (at least 10) per week to a research project.  You can accomplish little unless you do so.  But if you do this you may find yourself presenting the results of your work at a professional meeting or even contributing to a publication.

Can a student get credit for research?  Students with a 3.0 or above and at least 60 credits of coursework can receive up to 12 credits of Independent Study (no more than 3 cr. per term).  Check with your adviser to verify that the credits will count toward your emphasis, however.

How can I find a research project?  To find a research project, talk to faculty who do research that interests you.  Click on Research (below) for a list of faculty and their interests. 

Can I get paid for a research project?  Sometimes; see below.

Research (click here)

Most of our faculty have undergraduate and graduate students working on research projects in their laboratory.  Some students receive support for research. Below are listed some programs that pay the students.  Individual faculty may have funding from grants.  Talk to the faculty who do research that interests you!  Visit their websites.

Environmental Health/Beach Research Group

Faculty Collaborative grants (applications due in early February)

MacNair Program

NSF-Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF-REU)

PFG Scholars program

For information on Internships (which may or may not include research activities, go to Internships).