Q: If I am already in a research group, do I need to complete this form?
A: No. You will arrange enrollment in CHE 393/493 with your current research advisor.
Q: If I am selected for CHE 393/493, how do I enroll?
A: You will work with your advisor to submit an independent research enrollment form.
Q: Do I actually need to meet with faculty before applying?
A: Yes. You are highly unlikely to be selected by faculty if you do not meet with them first.
Q: What do I talk about when meeting with research faculty?
A: You will discuss, among other things, your goals and scientific interests, what you would work on in the lab, and expectations.
Q: How do I apply for the Mentored Undergraduate Summer Experience (MUSE) program?
A: You need to arrange a meeting to discuss MUSE with one or more faculty members of interest. Some faculty will indicate on the "Faculty Info" page if they are seeking students for MUSE. You do not apply to MUSE through the CHE 393/493 application form.
Q: What if I still don't know what to ask faculty?
A: Review the information below.
Not sure what questions to ask before joining a research lab?
The questions below – generated by current research students in the department – are a good starting point. Each professor will likely have different answers and expectations. You can also expect that the professor and current students in the lab will have unique perspectives on each question, so be sure to talk to as many people as possible!
Pre-requisites and Training
Do I need prior experience? What duties/tasks/methods am I required to be familiar with to join the lab?
Will I be trained by my research advisor or current students in the research lab?
What would a new student be expected to do in the lab? Is there a shadowing period or will it be more hands-on learning?
What type of instrumentation will I be trained on in this lab?
What new lab techniques can I expect to learn?
What other skills (beyond specific lab techniques) will I be using and/or developing if I join this lab?
Day-to-Day
What does a typical day of research look like in this lab?
What percentage of my lab time will be in lab vs. on the computer (filling out the lab notebook, reading papers, working up data, etc.)?
What other duties (besides conducting experiments) is an undergraduate researcher expected to do?
Time Management
Twelve hours a week sounds like so much time! How do you balance schoolwork and extracurriculars along with your research schedule?
About the Research
What type of research is happening in your lab?
What projects will be available for me to work on?
What, if anything, has been done on this project in the past?