Students having a keen interest in pursuing scientific research should become involved with research faculty as early as possible in their undergraduate career. Interest in pursuing undergraduate research often originates from your regular classwork and course-related labs here at KU, and we are very eager to help get you started in exciting hands-on, independent work!
If you have identified a topic or research question that is of particular interest, you should think very carefully about whether you prefer field- or lab-oriented research. You should then review the list of KU faculty who represent the diverse Biology Specialty Areas below, and approach one or more of them to ask whether they would consider serving as your research mentor. Before meeting with them, you should first develop a list of questions to ask about your mentor's research program, and you should also create a list of the kinds of research projects that you would enjoy pursuing under their guidance. In return, your prospective mentor(s) will likely ask you questions about your prior scientific coursework; your personal work ethic (research can be very demanding of both your time and your patience!); and your personal career goals. Many times it is possible to fit your own work perfectly into exciting projects that are already in progress in your mentor's research group.
The best way to learn about biology is to "do" biology, and independent research can provide you with unique and tremendously valuable new learning experiences. In addition, your participation in an independent undergraduate research project can provide a very distinctive addition to your resumé when you are applying for employment, for medical school, or for post-graduate education.
For extremely helpful information about the details of scientific research (e.g., lab safety, record keeping, experimental design, data analysis, technical writing, oral presentations, etc.); to find potential scholarships/fellowships to support your project; and to learn more in general about research experiences for undergraduates, please go to http://www.webguru.neu.edu/.
