Thinking about getting involved in research?
- Watch this video of one of our seniors currently in research.
- Start looking for research on campus in the things that interest you. Don't limit that search to the chemistry department. Chemistry is happening all over campus!
- When you find projects that interest you, email the professor (Principle Investigator). I recommend about four to start with.
- State you name and major and how much time you have left in the program (no one wants someone who has only one term left)
- Indicate what it is about their research that interests you. [This lets them know you know soemthing about what they do and didn't just send out a generic "can I work for you" email.]
- If there are things that you can boast about definetly add it to the email. [If you are trying to get in to a polymer lab and already had the polymer lecture that would be a good thing to let them know.]
- Once you and the PI have agreed upon the right project for you, you have options:
- You can volunteer [no pay and no credit]
- You can get credit [this is the most common]
- Decide which course you will register for CHEM 2094 (usually for freshman), 4094W, 4094V (honors)
- Decide on the number of credits (this is based on the amount of time you can committ to lab work). Note that 1 credit requires a minimum of 45 hours of effort per term.
- Determine how you will be graded for your efforts. If it is writing intensive you can expect to have at least one rewrite.
- Complete the contract at https://z.umn.edu/directed_research_contract. Once this is approved you will be sent a permission number. NOTE: advisor needs to be sure to indicate stephs as final approver
- You can get paid. It is rare if a PI has money in their grants to pay undergrads. Look to UROP for an opportunity to get paid to do research.
Check out the Think Like a Researcher program from the Library