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What does research look like for undergraduates?
What does research look like for undergraduates?
Undergraduate research can take many different forms that depend on your interests and how much time you would like to commit. You can do research on volunteer basis to gain experience, for credit, or as a paid position. Often, undergraduate students start small by assisting graduate students in their projects while learning the ins-and-outs of the lab. After working in a lab for a while, undergraduates can sometimes develop their own projects to answer new questions that arise. Some undergraduates, such as those in the Honors College or seeking honors in their major, also go on to write a thesis or present their work at conferences.
But what does research look like on a day-to-day basis? The experiences of a researcher vary both between and within scientific disciplines. Here is a sampling of the types of work you can expect to find at the UO:
Lab maintenance - helping with simple yet extremely necessary tasks, such as equipment cleaning or sample sorting, can be a great, low-pressure way to get a behind-the-scenes look at undergraduate research and help you build connections within a lab
Benchwork - some students work in a traditional laboratory setting, running tests for things like pH or monitoring the activity of nematodes under a microscope
Fieldwork - multiple UO labs have field sites, both close to campus and a day's drive away where students can assist in activities such as monitoring the health of plants and pollinators or collecting water and rock samples
Data management - scientific advances have led to vast amounts of data, so some students might help with sorting through data and looking for patterns
How to get started
How to get started
The University of Oregon houses dozens of research labs that investigate a wide range of topics, from particle physics to bioengineering and anthropology to atmospheric sciences. With so many options to choose from, it can seem overwhelming knowing where to start. Here are links to a few resources that can help guide you in your research journey:
Center for Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE) - CURE supports undergraduates by offering advising appointments, funding opportunities, community engagement, and events that showcase student research.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) - UROP encourages students to explore their interests and develop skills by connecting them to resources that help them get started and continue researching.
Additional information
Additional information
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