Undergraduate research

You can get involved in undergraduate research through a student job, volunteering in a lab, participating in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), or completing a directed research project for credit in your major.

1. To begin volunteering or working on directed research or UROP project, start your search online to learn more about current research at the U of M. The following links are usually helpful:
   • CBS faculty by department
   • U of M faculty expertise (searchable database)
   • UROP
2. Contact individual faculty via email or phone with a personalized message explaining your interest in working in his/her lab. Provide the following details:
   • Your name and contact information
   • Your major and year in school
   • Why you are interested in his/her research
   • Your goals regarding research (e.g. gain experience for graduate school)
   • What relevant science courses you have completed (e.g. Chemistry, Genetics)
3. When you find a professor to work with, set up a meeting to discuss options for a project. The initial meeting may be an interview, making it important to come prepared with a basic understanding of their research. Reading the articles published by faculty can help you prepare—these are usually listed on their webpage and can be accessed through the U of M library system. Faculty can typically guide students through the initial planning process by describing their research and suggesting a project for you.

* Please note that in general, faculty are more interested in working with students who will commit to working in their lab for two or more semesters.

research inside

Roadmap to Research

Video clips

CBS Directed Research
(Breeze presentation)

Life Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Program (LSSURP)

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

McNair Scholars

National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)

Undergraduate Symposium

Designing scientific posters
(Swarthmore College)