Post on 19-Dec-2015
Introduction toUndergraduate Research
Presented by:
Tiffany Pan,
Graduate Staff AssistantUndergraduate Research Program
SPA Research Night
UW is a Research Institution
What does research look like?
Faculty in all disciplines do research but approach it in different ways
Last year, UW received over $1,500,000,000 in grants and contracts for research
What does undergraduate research look like?
It depends…
Working with faculty and other mentors
Usually unpaid (option for academic credit)
Funding opportunities (e.g. scholarships, work study)
Usually ~2-3 quarter commitment
Year-round and summer research experiences
Sharing your work
Undergraduate Research Symposium
May 15, 2015 in Mary Gates HallApplication Deadline: February!
Why do undergrad research?With research, you can…• Direct your learning experience • Apply your coursework to real-world problems• Learn how to develop researchable questions• Develop problem-solving skills and resourcefulness
• Contribute to the creation of new knowledge
• Receive one-on-one faculty mentoring• Explore opportunities in a field• Prepare for graduate or professional school • Add an accomplishment to enhance your resume• Reduce the size of the university
Are you ready for research?You need to have:
Strong interest in subject
Willingness to take intellectual risks
Ability to work hard
Commitment of time to research
Basic skill set within the discipline *
Perseverance
How can the URP help?
Planning for undergraduate research
Identifying faculty mentors and projects
Contacting and communicating with faculty
Assisting with funding resources
Workshops on presentations, abstract writing, poster design
Presenting student work at the Undergraduate Research Symposium
What do you LIKE?
washington.edu/undergradresearch/
Other places to find opportunities
Department advisers/email lists
Department websites
Past Symposium participantshttp://www.washington.edu/undergradresearch/symposium/past-symposia/
Professors/TAs/friends/networking!
What do I do when I find something I am interested in?1a. Do your homework
1b. Prepare your résumé/CV
2. Set up a face-to-face meeting (via a short email)
3. Ask questions!
4. Ask if there are opportunities available
(5. Network)
Summer ResearchFull-time research immersion opportunity
Make connections & check out programs for graduate study
Often fully funded
Deadlines: late Jan/early Feb
URP Workshops
www.washington.edu/undergradresearch/summer/
$cholarships and Awards forUndergraduate Research
Mary Gates Endowment Research Scholarships http://exp.washington.edu/mge/
Library Research Award www.lib.washington.edu/researchAward
Undergraduate Research Conference Travel Awardswww.washington.edu/undergradresearch/students/funding/urcta/
Other fundinghttp://exp.washington.edu/urp/students/funding/
To Learn More…Check out year-round and summer research opportunities on
our website: www.washington.edu/undergradresearch/
Attend workshops, info sessions, and 1:1 advising with URP:Winter Quarter Drop-In Advising:
Tuesday, 2:00-4:00pmWednesday, 10:00am -12:00pm
Attend (& volunteer for) the Undergraduate Research Symposium!
TALK to advisers, faculty (go to office hours!), and friends