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Undergraduate
Program :: Participating in Research
Why you should participate in research as an undergraduate
All Zoology majors are strongly encouraged to
participate in research. Research experience is valuable on many
levels: it diversifies your college experience; it teaches you how
scientists apply the knowledge gained in the classroom to real world
questions, it gives you the opportunity to work with and get to know
researchers who are the best in their field, it introduces you to
cutting edge scientific questions and techniques, it can enhance your
resume/CV when applying to graduate or professional school, and finally
it is essential in helping you determine if science is a good career
choice for you.
Zoology majors may participate in research for course
credit (ZOO 4905), as a volunteer, as a Scholar (e.g., University
Scholar, HHMI Science for Life Scholar, Beckman Scholar), or (in rare
cases) as a paid research assistant. If you plan to enroll for course
credit, you must contact potential research mentors before the end of
the drop/add period. If you miss the drop/add window, you are
should still contact potential research mentors, if only to discuss
upcoming opportunities.
How to find a
Research Mentor
You should choose a project that you find intrinsically
interesting. When you interview with a potential mentor, find out what
you will do on a daily basis and how that applies to the bigger
research questions being asked in the mentor's
laboratory. Communicate your expectations of the experience, and
ask the mentor whether these expectations can be met by joining his or
her lab. For example, if you want to learn how to work with DNA
or if you want to do field research, make sure that is a part of the
lab’s daily mission. Finally, determine the level of commitment
that is expected of you by the lab so you can be sure that you can meet
that commitment.
A college education offers you the chance to discover
what interests you most and to learn how to make that into a
career. A research position can last a semester, or it can last
for four years. While science is incredibly diverse, the basic
principles of research are not. With a few skills, and a solid
understanding of the scientific method, you can progress in any number
of directions.
The best advice to undergraduate students who want to find a research opportunity is to do your homework.
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The very best way to find an opportunity is to
figure out what you want to do, find the professors (or graduate
students) on campus who are doing research in that area (the web is
your friend: for example, you could see what you get if you search
Google for parasite biology research site:ufl.edu), and get informed.
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Read professors' web pages to find out the specifics
of their research; professors, especially those who have lots of
undergraduates in their lab, often post information about their
openings and policies.
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Read papers by the professors you're interested in
-- you can either find citations on their web pages or find them, very
easily, on the Web of Science.
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Decide what you're interested in, and what you're
willing to do. How much time do you want to commit? Do you want
research credit (usually pretty easy), money (harder unless you bring
unusual skills/experience or levels of commitment), or are you willing
to work just for the experience?
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Finally, once you've figured out which labs might
have openings and which ones you might be interested in, e-mail the
professors (don't phone them or drop by their labs) to find out whether
you will fit in. Tell them what courses you've taken and what skills
you have, and why you're interested in working in their lab. Don't
be afraid to approach professors who are doing specific work you're
interested in, even if they don't specifically say on their web pages
that they're looking for students, but also don't be surprised if there isn't room in their labs at present. Be prepared to wait for what you want.
Specific Research Opportunities at UF
Undergraduate Research Programs at UF
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What’s the difference between the various undergraduate research programs--Science for Life, Beckman Scholars, GATOR, and University Scholars Program?
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The UF Science for Life
program, funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. "This is the
largest early undergraduate research program at UF and in the State of
Florida. The intramural program provides opportunities for
students to engage in multi-year research projects starting the summer
following their freshman year culminating in a second award for
co-authorship in publications." A one-credit Science for Life course
(IDH3931) is offered each fall and spring. This course is intended for
freshmen and sophomores who are interested in research. For more
information, please refer to the Science for Life syllabus.
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UF-HHMI G.A.T.O.R. Program for Biomedical Science:
This program brings together graduate students, freshmen, sophomores,
and high school students who work together in research teams under the
guidance of faculty advisors. As team leaders, graduate students gain
experience in mentoring and project management, skills that will
enhance their success as professional scientists and teachers. As team
members, undergraduate and high school students learn about the process
of scientific research and scholarship. By doing discovery science,
they gain important lab skills along with knowledge of research design
and presentation. In addition, the G.A.T.O.R program is designed to
help students develop a personal network of mentors and colleagues who
can help them develop their scientific careers.
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University of Florida University Scholars Program.
This highly competitive program provides undergraduates with the unique
opportunity to work closely with UF faculty. Teamed with a faculty
mentor, students pick their topic, conduct summer research, and
complete their paper throughout the following academic year. All
undergraduates are eligible. You may choose to work with a faculty
member in a different college than your own major. Scholars receive a
$2,500 stipend and $500 for travel to a scholarly conference to present
the results of the research. In addition, scholars have the opportunity
to publish their research in UF's online Journal of Undergraduate Research.
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Chemistry/Zoology Domestic and French REU programs.
The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, sponsored by
the National Science Foundation, supports active chemistry and zoology
research participation by undergraduate students. Students will spend a
summer at the University of Florida in either the Chemistry or Zoology
Department, or at a site in France. Each participant will spend most of
their time working with graduate students, post-doctoral researchers,
staff, and other undergraduates on a well-developed research project.
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The Ronald McNair
program, which helps prepare low income, first generation and/or
minority undergraduates for graduate study -- includes a summer
research component.
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The Beckman Scholars Program
"support[s] research ... by exceptionally talented undergraduate
students ... in either chemistry, biochemistry, the biological and
medical sciences". This is very competitive (GPA around 3.8, quant. SAT
around 770, or 2 AP scores of 5 on science/math/physics), but also very
rewarding (academic-year and summer support, etc.). If you think you're
competitive, check it out.
... further afield:
Receiving High or
Highest Honors
A student wishing
to graduate with high or highest honors must have an upper division
GPA of over 3.5 and is required to complete two semesters of research
through ZOO 4905 (with a total of at least 6 credit hours). This
research, conducted under the supervision of a zoology faculty
member (or other university faculty approved by the Zoology Undergraduate
Coordinator, as described here) must be presented as a thesis. If approved, the
student will be recommended for high or highest honors. The research program should be started
by the second semester of the junior year. All students
desiring to qualify for high or highest honors must meet with the
Zoology Undergraduate Coordinator before the semester in which the student intends to graduate.
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