Undergraduate Research

 

Jump-Start Your Career with Undergraduate Research

 
This video is of a presentation by MSU student Steph Dawes to a group of alumni in June 2008. During this presentation, she talks about her experience as an undergraduate student doing research in the Holekamp Lab.

While pursuing a B.S. or B.A. degree in the College of Natural Science, students are encouraged to participate in science research as the junior colleagues of faculty. Participation in science research at MSU gives students practical skills and knowledge that will jump-start their career after graduation or as a graduate student.

 

Working in a research laboratory provides a deep understanding in a scientific area while gaining hands-on experience working in a laboratory. Conducting under-graduate science research is a great way for students to learn from faculty, researchers, graduate students, and other undergraduate students who share similar career interests and goals.

 

Simply put, being involved in science research greatly enhances your degree while providing you the experience needed to make you competitive for graduate school or high-end science careers.

 

MSU undergraduate students can participate in science research at various levels, including:

  • developing research plans,
  • writing proposals,
  • conducting research,
  • analyzing data and
  • presenting research results.

As a Tier-1 major research institution, MSU provides students the opportunity to actively involve science research with their undergraduate education. The number and diversity of research projects at MSU gives students the ability to participate during the academic year or the summer - there are no universal starting dates.

 

Students can become involved in research at any time while at MSU and there are no prerequisites. The experience often allows students to receive academic credit as well as stipends and pay depending on the research project.

 

Scholarships and Financial Support

The College recognizes the importance of undergraduate research and has established funds to help support students in undergraduate research.

 

How to Get Started

Several tips are offered to assist students in identifying faculty and research opportunities.

 

How to Find Research Opportunities

Resources to help students find research opportunities.

 

Professorial Assistants

The College of Natural Science boasts the highest number of Professorial Assistants on campus. This highly selective program for entering freshmen provides an opportunity for students to work directly with a faculty mentor on tasks directly related to scholarly research.

 

McNair/Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP)

This program encourages first-generation, low-income college juniors and seniors to enter doctoral study. McNair runs simultaneously with the Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP), which is a research program for underrepresented students. Together these programs enable students to obtain the necessary skills for success in graduate school.

 

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