UNDERGRADUATE
RESEARCH
at Berkeley
What is Research?
Research is the systematic pursuit of knowledge and an exciting process of discovery. And it’s not just for scientists! Every field of study has its own research problems and methods. As a researcher you seek answers to questions of great interest to you. Your research problem could be aesthetic, social, political, scientific or technical. You choose the tools, gather and analyse the data that will help you to delve deeper and find answers.
Why Should I do Research?
To challenge yourself, to contribute to knowledge, to learn more about something that interests you passionately, to see if you want to go to graduate school, or to top off your undergraduate career with something you are really proud of—a capstone research project!
The Research Experience
What is it like to do research? Students talk about their research: the challenges, the sorrows, the joys of doing research at the university:
How do I get involved in research?
1. Visit the research website http://research.berkeley.edu for links to on- and off-campus programs.
2. Subscribe to the Researcher listserv at the research.berkeley.edu website.
3. Talk to faculty about research. Having a hard time talking to faculty? Sign up for a small class— a freshman seminar or a sophomore seminar.
4. Come to a research workshop! Workshop A helps you get started. When you are ready, workshop B looks at how to write a research proposal. Offered August through March.
5. Apprentice with a faculty member in the Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP). This year 1000+ students found positions with URAP. Or try Engineering's Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (URO).
6. Speak to your major advisor about research opportunities in your home department.
7. Take a methods course as early a possible. Whatever your field, your department has a course that reviews the major methods used to approach problems there.
8. Investigate independent research opportunities through senior thesis options or programs such as the McNair or Haas Scholars, or the L&S Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF).
9. Talk to everyone you can think of about your research ideas and ask for feedback and advice.
10. Start today!
Research is an ongoing discussion. You will want to share your research with others.
College and Departmental Poster Sessions and Colloquia:
Get feedback from those who know the field and can offer constructive advice. Ask your major advisor about opportunities to present your research.
Undergraduate Research Journals: Berkeley Undergraduate Journal, Berkeley Scientific, California Engineer, and similar journals allow you to share your findings, and join the research conversation. You can also get experience as an editor.
National and Regional Conferences: Every year Berkeley undergraduates present their research at large and small academic conferences. Go to one if you can. You will begin to create a network of colleagues. Learn about graduate opportunities too. Funding may be available from ASUC or the L&S Travel Grants for Undergraduate Research Program.