How to get started in undergraduate research

A question can take you anywhere…Getting started in Undergraduate Research

October 1, 2014

Undergraduate research: A question can take you anywhere

What is “Undergraduate Research”?

Learning about

research discoveries

Learning about

research methods

Learning through

discovery

Discovering/creating new knowledge

in any discipline!


Why get involved in undergraduate research?

• Gain experience

• Study an interest in depth

• Apply learning to new area

• Develop “soft skills”

• Contribute to the community

• Meet new people

• Have fun


“His work has been far from satisfactory…several times he has been in trouble, because he will not listen, but will insist on doing his work his own way. I believe he has ideas about becoming a Scientist; on his present showing, this is quite ridiculous… it would be a sheer waste of time, both on his part and of those who have to teach him.”

You don’t need a 4.0 GPA to do research!

-- From the high school report card of John Gurden, recipient of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine


“I was hesitant in starting because I felt that I was very academically weak. However, I was able to learn at my own pace and in my own way, instead of being talked at in a lecture theatre. I am exponentially more interested, and more confident in this area of my field. Even though this subject matter is not my strongest point, I now know that the level of "talent" as ascribed to me by my grades is not representative of my true capability to understand and research an area of science.”

-- 3rd year Science student

Closer to home:


• Research seminars

• Research-based courses

• Community Service-Learning courses

• Co-curricular research - paid or volunteer- full-time or part-time- mentored research- Many opportunities are driven by student interest!

How to get started in research?


• Build a relationship with your professors and TAs

• Attend open research seminars

• Read about current research- The Gateway, ExpressNews,

Department Profiles, etc…- Journals

• Attend URI events- Undergraduate Research Symposium

What can you do learn more about getting involved in research?


• Learn about the research you are interested in

• Attend office hours

• Introduce yourself at research seminars

• Email with questions about research

• Come to URI to practice!

How do you approach your prof and/or TA?


• Learn about research (Consultation, Panel, Crawl)

• Find opportunities (Undergraduate Research Portal)

• Apply for funding (Stipend, Support Fund)

• Celebrate and share your work (Undergraduate Research Symposium, student journals)

How can URI help?


• Access the first time through the URI home page (www.uri.ualberta.ca)

• Log in with CCID, click “enrol me”

• Portal will then appear in your Eclass home page

Undergraduate Research Portal

http://www.uri.ualberta.ca/


November 13, 2014 in CCIS

Deadline for abstracts: October 3, 2014

Visit www.uri.ualberta.ca to apply

4th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium



October 9 – How to apply for undergraduate research funding

October 16 – “Talk Nerdy to Me”: Interdisciplinary communication for undergraduate researchers

October 23 – How to design a research poster

October 27 – Deadline: URI Stipend applications (for Winter 2015)

October 30 – Poster design “bootcamp”

Visit www.uri.ualberta.ca for details and to register!

Upcoming events & seminars



Crystal SnyderUndergraduate Research Coordinator, URI

[email protected]

2-701 SUB

www.uri.ualberta.ca

Where to go for more help

mailto:[email protected]


How to get started in undergraduate research

Education

current research

research posteroctober

funundergraduate research

research consultation

caundergraduate research

research seminarshow

time mentored research

research seminars email