Research
Why do undergraduate research? There is no better way to prepare oneself for work or graduate study in the sciences than to do undergraduate research. The experience will increase your understanding of the scientific method, help you understand more about how previous researchers discovered the information in your textbooks, and how to read and evaluate scientific journal articles. If you are considering a career in research, it will help you decide whether you truly want to be a researcher, whether you would enjoy having scientists as colleagues, and help you choose between research areas. It also helps you build a "portfolio" to give an indication of your abilities and experience. And, because you will be working closely with one or two professors/researchers, this is a good opportunity for future letters of recommendation.
What will I be doing? Doing undergraduate research for credit is based on an individual agreement between you and the professor, so the actual arrangement varies. The experience is designed to teach students how and why experiments are done and to let them feel the excitement of seeing results. More advanced students design their own research project, but the majority work alongside a faculty researcher or graduate student on an on-going project. To gain a good sense of the scientific research method, it is good if you work on a specific project with a specific hypothesis, read original scientific papers related to the research topic, perform experiments, perform data analysis or at least discuss data analysis with your sponsor, and write a report.
When should I start? Many students do undergraduate research in their senior year, but you can start at any time. If you are interested in graduate school it is good to start in your junior year, after you have taken introductory biology and organic chemistry. This will give you time to complete some research before you begin applying to graduate school. If you are very interested in research and would like to start earlier, you are welcome to approach faculty at any time you wish. If you are still taking general and organic chemistry and introductory biology, you may not receive credit yet, but you can have fun and gain valuable experience volunteering in a research laboratory. Biology's Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Programs are designed to give students experience as early as their freshman year; see below for further details.
How much time will I spend on research? The University of Washington expects students to work an average of 3 hours per week to receive 1 credit. Students usually take three to five credits per quarter for several quarters. This translates into an average of 9 to 15 hours per week. However, because research is done by individual arrangement there will be some variation. Ask your professor/researcher what he/she expects from you. The hours are usually flexible; however, in many areas of research complicated techniques are used, which require that you be in the lab for several hours at a time. Thus, it is most practical to spend whole mornings, afternoons or evenings doing research, rather than one or two-hour time blocks.
How do I register for this? The standard vehicle for undergraduate research is through a research course such as Biology 499 or its equivalent in other departments. You will register in the department of your sponsoring professor regardless of your major. Most departments have course numbers 498 and/or 499 reserved for undergraduate research. In order to register for undergraduate research credit you first have to make an arrangement with a faculty member with whom you will do research. Once an arrangement is made you will need to pick up an entry code from the professor's home department. Depending on the department you register with, there may be a graded option as well as a credit/no credit option (see below). Discuss your options with your faculty sponsor.
Do I receive a grade for undergraduate research credits? In most cases yes, but it depends on the department's policies. The Time Schedule will say if a class is Credit/No Credit. If it does not say anything, then you will receive a grade. In this "class" you will not have a syllabus, exams, etc.; it is therefore important to ask your professor/researcher how the grade will be determined and what the criteria will be.
Will the research credits count for my major?
All students who are participating in a 499 experience are required to submit a petition to have these credits, a maximum of ten, apply toward their major requirements. Petitions should be submitted preferably prior to the experience and should follow the instructions found under the "Undergraduate Research Guidelines" form. Additional questions should be directed toward an academic advisor in regards to this matter.
How do I find a faculty member to work with?
1) Choose a field of interest. Read journals and other publications to help you choose and become more knowledgeable about that field. Find out which professors do research in your field of interest; the biology website has this information for biology faculty. If you email a professor to inquire about their lab, be sure to (1) introduce yourself and state what attributes you have to offer, (2) tell them what you're looking for (experience, credit, how many hours and quarters) and (3) tell them why you're writing to them (their research interests you, you know someone in their lab, you were referred to them).
2) Talk to professors and TA's in your biology classes. Take a class or seminar course in the area of your interest and talk to that professor.
3) Visit the Biology DepartmentaO(TM)s website, specifically the Research page. This page shows you by topic area what Biology faculty are researching. They may not have a current project available for you, but can probably suggest someone who might.
4) Visit the Undergraduate Research Program Office in 210 Mary Gates Hall. They have a listing of professors who are interested in having students work in their labs. Visit their website at http://www.washington.edu/research/urp to view listings.
5) Talk to faculty in one or more departments to find out which professors have time and lab space available. Some departments have an assigned undergraduate research coordinator who will help you find a suitable placement; for departments with no coordinator you may approach any faculty member.
6) Check the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) website for information on their Integrative Biology Research Internship Program; their website is linked from the Biology website under the heading of Undergraduate.
What if the professor I speak with says no? Most Trebuchet MS, verdana, arial, sans-serif you will need to contact several professors before you are able to make an arrangement. When you talk with a professor who does not have a suitable project or space available in his/her lab, ask if he/she can recommend a person you could speak with next. You may have to go through a few "no's" to get to a "yes", but it only takes one yes!
Can I get paid for doing undergraduate research? If your professor has funds to pay you, yes. The Mary Gates Research Training Grant also has funds available. In addition the HHMI program offers funding (see above) and FHL apprenticeships offer stipends (see below).
Other cool places to do research: