|
Opportunities for Undergraduate Research
One of the great advantages of being a UW student is the possibility of doing undergraduate research. Here are some ideas to get you started on finding a position:
- The UW undergraduate research program web site (home page is www.washington.edu/research/urp/index.html) is a gold mine. For example, if you click on 'Student Research Opportunities,' there is a listing of profs who are actively looking for undergrads to help . Click on 'B' for opportunities related to biology, 'C' for chemistry, 'I' for immunology and so forth).
- The Biology Department web site has several pages devoted to undergraduate research opportunities. To get there, click on the "Biology Dept." link on this page, just to the left. Then choose "Undergrad Program" and then (at the top of the page) "Research Opportunities."
- Be sure to subscribe to the Biology Department listserve. In addition to getting emails with news about events related to UW Biology, you will receive notices about research jobs and internships. If you aren't already on the list, email Andrea Crosby at acroz@u.washington.edu.
- Talk to the Biology advisors about opportunities. The advisors are:
They are all very friendly and knowledgeable.
- Check the bulletin boards in Hitchcock (especially the one near the Biology office, on the 3rd floor). Also check bulletin boards in departments that you might be interested in.
- Apply for a Mary Gates grant
www.washington.edu/oue/mge/becoming_research.shtml
- Network by going to the Mary Gates Undergrad Reseach Symposium in May (www.washington.edu/research/urp/symp/) and talking to people. Also, be sure to attend Biology Club/Tribeta meetings (the meetings are announced on posters in Hitchcock and via the listserve) and find fellow undergrads who are having good experiences or who know of openings. Talk to your profs and TAs every quarter--see if they know of grad students who are doing work you are interested in and who are looking for help.
- In addition to applying for internships or work-study or paid positions, think about doing an independent study in a lab for credit. One way to find a lab that is doing work you are interested in is by reading faculty web pages.
- Check out the program at Friday Harbor Marine Labs:
http://depts.washington.edu/fhl/index.html
Click on "Students" and then check the links to Research Apprenticeships (look at their courses, too--they're good).
|