Getting Started
Download this presentation about UG research. It includes links to all the places to start looking for a position here at CU Boulder (and elsewhere).
Opportunities in Boulder
Just Ask!
If you attend a talk, or are interested in working with one of your professors, just ask them! Professors want to hire students who are enthusiastic about their research. If you plan to talk to a professor to try to work with them on their project, read their papers and be knowledgeable about their topic. It shows initiative on your part -- that you are taking an active role in your education and training. This is where your grades can matter. A professor will want to talk with you to gauge your interest and commitment first. But they may also look at your transcript before taking you on. If your grades are poor, that can be seen as a sign that you don't take your education seriously. From their perspective, taking on an undergraduate student is a big time commitment; undergrads require more help and training than a grad student. Professors want to have undergrads in their labs, but they can really only afford (in time and $) to take ones on that they think will succeed and be reliable. Having a good transcript can be one (but not the only!) indicator.
If you want to learn about the research going on in your department, both the Physics and APS departments have a series of faculty research talks. These are meant for graduate students to get a feel for who they might be interested in working with. However, they're a great place for you to look, too. The APS talk schedule is linked on APS webpage under CALENDAR and the Physics talk schedule is linked on Physics webpage under EVENTS.
UROP - Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
This is a program here at CU for which you apply directly for funds for research. You can do your own project, but they also have a category that is specifically for people who want to get research experience and have none so far. You do need to apply and have a faculty mentor, so you'll need to approach a CU researcher you're interested in working with and ask if you could join an existing project. This is a great opportunity! Applications for term-time projects are accepted July through January, the deadline for summer projects is in March.
http://www.colorado.edu/UROP/
Colorado Space Grant Consortium
The COSGC is funded by NASA and is a state-wide organization involving 13 colleges, universities and institutions around Colorado. This organization provides Colorado students access to space through innovative courses, real-world hands-on telescope and satellite programs, and interactive outreach programs.
Home Page: http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/
CU-Boulder Page: http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=103&Itemid=97
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
LASP has opportunities throughout the year for undegraduate research. Their website has a page devoted to this. Undergrads have opportunities to really contribute to research and space missions at LASP, so this is a great opportunity if you're interested in LASP's work.
Opportunities outside Boulder -- summer programs (REUs, etc.)
NSF REU
The National Science Foundation's program Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) is an excellent chance to do research at another institution during the summer. NSF funds institutions to conduct these summer programs and there are a lot of them in existence. On the website you can search for programs in your field of interest. Once you have found programs that interest you, you apply for that specific program directly through the specific institution, not through NSF. This presentation on UG research also discusses REUs.
This is information from a CU Boulder student:
I.) The NSF refer to the different research opportunities as "sites". To plagiarize their web site, An REU Site consists of a group of ten or so undergraduates who work in the research programs of the host institution. The best way to find something appropriate to your field of interest is to use the NSF's search engine/database of REU sponsors: http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm
A.) Everyone's application deadlines are different, but the handful I reviewed for summer REU's appear to be around January to March. Most REU sites still contain last year's info, and a tremendous number of them contain great examples of past work.
B.) The application process varies widely, but about everyone requires the following:
1.) Letter of Recommendation - Some require 2 (probably can't go wrong with 3)
2.) Small Essay about your career goals and your interest (everyone wants this)
3.) Official Transcript
4.) Sometimes a formal application (the majority have this requirement)
C.) Regarding International REU's, I was unable to find any international opportunities under Physics, but there are REU's for Astronomy/Astrophysics in Arecibo (Puerto Rico), Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory in Chile and the Keck observatory on Mauna Kea. I'd imagine these are pretty darn competitive.
II.) It appears that pay also varies widely, as does the quality of the work performed, it appears. I'd highly suggest looking at some of the stuff that's out there... I think it's absolutely fascinating what some people accomplish in 9 weeks (or don't accomplish, for that matter).
New NASA One Stop Shopping for Internships
This NASA site collects many opportunities throughout the country.
NASA USRP
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Undergraduate Student Research Program (USRP) offers undergraduates across the United States mentored internship experiences at NASA Centers and research support facilities. The NASA Undergraduate Student Research Program is NASA’s largest nationwide internship program.
NASA USRP is an internship program that offers NASA research and development opportunities to undergraduate students. USRP internship opportunities give students the ultimate workforce preparatory experience for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). USRP is one of most highly comprehensive internship programs for undergraduate students within the STEM majors. Students work on practical problems that will see real applications in aerospace or on future NASA missions. These immersive NASA opportunities combine scientific research with professional hands-on engineering. A USRP internship will be the first step toward a career at NASA, or within the science and engineering workforce. USRP internship opportunities are offered year round in the Fall, Summer and Spring.
LPI Summer Internships
The Lunar and Planetary Institute invites undergraduates with at least 50 semester hours of credit to experience cutting-edge research in the lunar and planetary sciences. As a Summer Intern, you will work one-on-one with a scientist at the LPI or at the NASA Johnson Space Center on a research project of current interest in lunar and planetary science. Furthermore, you will participate in peer-reviewed research, learn from top-notch planetary scientists, and preview various careers in science. The 10-week program runs from June 7, 2011–August 13, 2011. You will receive a $5,000.00 stipend plus $1000.00 U.S. travel stipend, or $1,500 foreign travel reimbursement for foreign interns. The LPI is located near Johnson Space Center, on the south side of Houston, Texas. The LPI provides, on NASA’s behalf, leadership in the scientific community for research in lunar, planetary, and solar system sciences, and linkage with related terrestrial programs.
CalTech SURF
Caltech's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships program introduces students to research under the guidance of seasoned research mentors at Caltech and JPL. Students experience the process of research as a creative intellectual activity.
Other opportunities
If you're interested in a job, internship or volunteering activity -- something other than standard UG research...
Learning Assistants program (STEM-Colorado)
This is a great program to get teaching experience at CU Boulder that pays really well. If you are at all interested in teaching, or think you might be, this is a great way to try it out without a lot of commitment or time investment at the beginning. Not only does the Learning Assistant program through STEM strengthen your ability to teach and learn, but you also have close interactions with professors. Some good people to contact for additional information not on the STEM website are Cecily Abel (cecily.abel@colorado.edu) and Valerie Otero (valerie.otero@colorado.edu)
http://stem.colorado.edu/ The LA program is some of the best Physics GRE prep you can do.
Has information on internships.
Has volunteer opportunities. Great for outreach experience, which is taken very seriously these days. All National Science Foundation grants require some kind of education/public outreach component.
Disclaimer: The material on this website is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under the AAPF program. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the fellows and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.