Find Research Opportunities

Talk to your advisor about taking a course with a Research Experience.  Here are some:

• CHM 1980 – Introduction to Research Methods in Chemistry and Biochemistry 
• CHM 1150 – Research in Chemistry Lab 
• BIO 1210 – General Biology I Lab, special SEA-PHAGES Section and BIO 2200 – Research Laboratory Basics 
• CHM 2310 – Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 
• BIO 2710 – Genetics Laboratory
• BIO 3000 Bioinformatics of Bacteriophage Genomes 
• BIO 3201 – Applied Metagenomics 
• BIO 3202 Metagenomic Research 
• BIO 3510 – Histology Laboratory 
• CHM 3880 – Quantitative Analysis Laboratory I 
• BIO 3950 – Advanced Microbial Phage Genomics: SEA GENES 
• BIO 4490 – Ecology Laboratory 
• BIO 4750 – Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory 
• CHM 4750 – Biochemistry Laboratory 
• CHM 4830 – Instrumental Analysis Laboratory 

Network with Faculty
Faculty are looking for students who have a real curiosity and drive to help move their research forward.  

• Network with your instructors who have undergraduates in their research lab.  
• Be an active participant in a faculty’s class, show them you are hardworking, curious, and reliable.
• Sign up to be a Teaching Assistant in the department. 
• Attend departmental events, volunteer. 

Work in a faculty’s research lab
Students can work in a faculty’s lab for academic credit or as a paid researcher. 

How to start:

• Start with faculty who know you to see if they have an opening in their lab.
• Review faculty profiles, mentor statements and/or websites. Visit the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Department or Biology Department websites and click on faculty member’s name of interest. 
• Send a professional email introducing yourself, explaining your interest in their work, and asking about opportunities.  Ask if they are willing to meet with you.
• Attend departmental and OURS+GO events, research fairs, or meet with academic advisors for additional guidance.

Connect with a Research Mentor
Once you have built a relationship with a faculty member or two, and have done some prep work to get yourself ready, the next step is finding a faculty mentor.

Once a faculty member agrees to let you join their lab, register for their research section. 
Talk to your faculty and advisor about the right course to register for and what restrictions there may be. 

• BIO 4920 – Directed Studies: Laboratory Research 
• CHM 3980 – Introduction to Undergraduate Research 
• BIO 4930 Directed Studies: Advanced Laboratory Research 
• CHM 4980 Undergraduate Research 

Explore the Undergraduate Catalog for more information.

Talk with your Research Advisor about a Research Concentration. 

• B.S. Biology Research Concentration
• B.A. Chemistry Research Concentration
  
• B.S. Chemistry Research Concentration
• B.S. Biochemistry Research Concentration 

Find a Summer Research Experience at UDM 

• • Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program 
  • Connect with a Faculty member to work in their lab  

Find a Summer Research Experience elsewhere

• • Summer Opportunities Searchable Database 
    PathwaysToScience.org has a searchable database of 600+ summer research programs in all STEM disciplines. These are all FULLY FUNDED opportunities including programs sponsored by NSF, NASA, NIH, etc. 
  • Great Lakes Summer Fellows Program 
  • University of Michigan-SMART Program 
  • University of Michigan Samuel & Jean Frankel Cardiovascular Center (FCVC) Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) 
  • Harvard Summer Research Opportunities 
  • Undergraduate Summer Research Internship Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences 
  • Programs to Increase Diversity Among Individuals Engaged in Health Related Research (one application for multiple programs) 
  • Tufts University – Building Diversity in Biomedical Sciences for Undergraduates 
  • Seattle Children’s Hospital Underrepresented Minority Students in Research Internship Program 
  • University of Virginia – Summer Research Internship Program 
  • University of Michigan Perrigo Program 
  • University of Michigan Pharmacology Undergraduate Summer Research Program 
  • Michigan State University Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) 
  • University of Michigan NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) in Chemistry