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Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Undergraduates can participate in on-going research programs of the
faculty. This offers a special opportunity to put into practice what
was learned in regular classes, and at the same time to share in the
excitement of scientific discovery in the laboratory of the
faculty member.
There are several options for research experience.
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Independent study
in a faculty members lab, with corresponding
course credit (EEB, MCB, or PNB 299). Many faculty members
have grant-supported research programs, and typically have a lab with
several graduate students and a few undergraduates. Independent study
is always arranged on a one-to-one basis; typically a student would
be in the lab one or two afternoons a week.
To get started in independent study, you need to find a faculy sponsor
who has space in his/her lab and negotiate the time and credits. We
offer a course specifically designed to introduce undergraduates to
the variety of faculty research programs:
A different faculty member comes each week to talk about research
in their labs. Most interested students take this for both semesters
of sophomore year, and by junior year have a good sense of the kind
of research that interests them and some acquaintance with the variety
of research at UConn. It's good practice to stick with the same lab
for several semesters of research, since you build up your skills and
competence with time.
It's always good practice to prepare a short handout about yourself
when looking for a faculty sponsor for research. Include a transcript
and a list of any relevant background you've had, including any lab
experiences and techniques you're familiar with (including
things like photography, skill with microscopy, prior experience with
gel electrophoresis or other techniques, etc.) But don't be put off
by a lack of experience; the most important thing is your interest
and willingness to get involved!
 UConn Coop program
allows juniors and seniors six months
of full-time, paid, career-related work experience. Contact Dept.
of Career Services, 486-3013, for further information. This involves
off-campus experience, usually working with companies in Connecticut.
A number of students have found this to be a very rewarding way to
find out how research is applied in the "real world", and
some have continued working at their coop company after graduation.
Work study.
If a student applies for need-based aid (through
the financial aid office) and receives work study money, the
student can always find work in biology, including laboratory work.
Go to TLS 161 and talk to Carol or Jan. They have a long list of job
needs, and will try to match a job to student interests.
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Student labor.
Some faculty obtain money to pay undergraduates
from research grants for work in their labs. When these positions
become available, faculty will look for qualified individuals from
student applications on file in the biology office in TLS 161. If
you wish to be considered for such work, go to TLS 161 and talk to
Carol or Jan about submitting an application to be considered for
student labor.
The Honors Program
is designed especially for students interested
in gaining research experience. Even if you didn't join the program
before you came to UConn, it's not too late. Visit the Honors office
in South A Room 128 for more information.
Biology majors in the honors program and other students interested
in undergraduate research opportunities should take one or both of
the BIOL 196 courses, and then the one-credit course BIOL 295:
Introduction to Undergraduate Research, which may be
repeated for credit, and which ideally should be taken
both semesters of the sophomore year. Subsequently, undergraduates
should contact individual faculty members to arrange Independent
Study (course #299 in any of the three biology departments). |
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