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Preparing to Pursue an Undergraduate Research Opportunity
1. Start early. Begin searching for opportunities at least a month prior to when you want to start the research.
2. Investigate the different types of research opportunities that exist by visiting the Undergraduate Research website: http://ugresearch.rice.edu/.
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Research assistant: Research assistants work on faculty members’/principal investigators’ research projects. These positions may be for pay, course credit, or voluntary. Students can find out more information about these types of opportunities by visiting the Undergraduate Research website or visiting with faculty/researchers.
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Course-based research: Many of the upper-level courses in all major fields of study include some form of research assignment. For more information, please see the course descriptions in the General Announcements and/or visit the Academic Schools below (also see the attached list of Rice Research Programs, Centers, and Institutes).
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Community-based research: Community-based research (CBR) opportunities are those in which students conduct research in association with a community partner, such as a governmental or non-profit organization. For more information on CBR opportunities, please visit the Center for Civic Engagement.
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Independent study: Students who wish to conduct research on a focused topic of their own often do so by enrolling in an Independent Study or Independent Research course. Independent Study and Independent Research courses require the approval of a supervising faculty member. Students interested in such courses are encouraged to talk with their major advisor and/or contact the Office of Fellowships and Undergraduate Research or the Center for Civic Engagement.
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Summer Research: Summer research opportunities are available at Rice through various programs, at other institutions in the US, and abroad.
3. Visit faculty websites and meet with faculty to find out more about their research and potential opportunities to work on projects or conduct independent study.
4. Investigate prerequisites for various research opportunities by visiting department websites and meeting with major advisors.
5. Join the OFUR and BCB Opportunities Owl-Space joinable sites for announcements, updates, and more information on research opportunities.
6. Meet with someone in OFUR (contact Valerie Wade at scholars@rice.edu or 713-348-2223) to find out
- How to prepare for opportunities
- When to apply for opportunities
- If funding is available for an opportunity
- How to set up a research experience off campus
- How to develop an application for a competitive research opportunity
