Lana Oconnell
Columbia University is considered a research university and offers many opportunities for undergraduate students to get involved in research activities. Students can find research opportunities and mentors through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities portal, where they can search for projects for course credits or paid opportunities. Students can also gain research experience by volunteering at university research institutes, medical centres, or hospitals, or by pursuing independent research projects for course credits. Columbia University also offers various research programs and fellowships for undergraduate students, such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) and the Amgen Scholars Program.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Research opportunities | Available through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities portal, the SEAS Student Research Involvement Program portal, LionSHARE, Clinical and Research Opportunities page, the Summer Programs page, the Extracurricular/Summer Options page, and the Undergraduate Research and Fellowships database |
| Application requirements | Resume, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose or cover letter |
| Application process | Determined by the lab or department that posts the role |
| Eligibility | Open to all undergraduates at Columbia College, SEAS, General Studies, Barnard and Teachers College |
| Training | Minimum of "Laboratory Safety, Chemical Hygiene and Hazardous Waste Management Training" required for all personnel working in a laboratory |
| Academic credit | Yes, students can get academic credit for working in a lab by registering for BIOL UN3500 Independent Research |
| Course credits | Students can earn between 1 and 4 course credits |
| Research areas | Sciences, engineering, humanities, social sciences |
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What You'll Learn
Research opportunities and resources
As a research university, Columbia University offers numerous resources, funding, and programs to help undergraduate students get involved in research activities.
Undergraduates can find research opportunities and mentors from across the university on the Undergraduate Research Opportunities portal. Students can use keywords to find projects for course credits or paid opportunities. Many research opportunities do not require prior experience, although some labs may require safety training.
To find research opportunities, students can talk to their classmates, professors, teaching assistants, advisers, and mentors. They can also meet with an Undergraduate Research & Fellowships adviser or connect with an advisor in the Undergraduate Research & Fellowships Office. Students can also apply to Columbia-sponsored programs such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), Amgen Scholars Program, Kluge Fellows Summer Research Program, Laidlaw Scholars Program, or Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.
There are research opportunities in various fields, including the sciences, engineering, humanities, and social sciences. Students can also explore Undergraduate Research programs for summer research opportunities and fellowships.
In the Department of Biological Sciences, students can get academic credit for working in a lab by registering for BIOL UN3500 Independent Research. They can also contact scientists directly to express interest in working in their labs.
Overall, Columbia University offers a wealth of research opportunities and resources for undergraduate students to get involved in research and gain valuable experience.
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Application requirements
Columbia University is a major research institution with a wide variety of fields and subfields, and research opportunities are plentiful for students who wish to begin research. The Columbia Libraries also offer a variety of resources to support undergraduate research.
The application process for undergraduate research positions at Columbia University varies depending on the lab or department offering the role. However, there are several common requirements and steps that applicants should be aware of:
- Browse research opportunities: Students can browse research listings in newsletters, program websites, or through word-of-mouth by talking to faculty members during office hours. Columbia also has online databases such as the Undergraduate Research Opportunities portal and the SEAS Student Research Involvement Program portal. Premed students can use resources like the Clinical and Research Opportunities page and the Summer Programs page.
- Eligibility: Students can set up alerts for research opportunities based on their eligibility year (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior), opportunity term (Spring/Fall/Summer), and discipline (e.g. Engineering, Social Sciences, Business).
- Training: Students participating in research are required to complete applicable safety training. At a minimum, "Laboratory Safety, Chemical Hygiene, and Hazardous Waste Management Training" is required for all laboratory personnel. The host Principal Investigator/Mentor/Sponsor is responsible for ensuring that students have completed the necessary training.
- Application materials: Students may need to submit a resume detailing previous research experience, project work, and related coursework. Some fellowships and research programs may also require letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose or cover letter describing research interests, goals, and relevant skills and experiences.
- Work commitment: Volunteer positions typically allow for greater flexibility in terms of commitment and experience level. Paid research assistant positions are also available but tend to be more competitive and may require prior research experience.
- Course credit: Certain majors allow students to pursue independent research projects during the semester and earn between 1 and 4 course credits. Students should discuss this option with their department administrator prior to course registration.
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Benefits of undergraduate research
Undergraduate research is a pedagogical approach to teaching and learning that involves mentored investigations or creative inquiries conducted by undergraduates seeking to contribute to a particular field of knowledge. Columbia University provides a web portal for undergraduates to search for research projects and mentors across the university, as well as opportunities to work directly with faculty in labs and on campus.
Undergraduate research offers numerous benefits to students:
Critical Thinking and Independence
Undergraduate research fosters the development of critical thinking and independent thinking skills. Students learn to form their own conclusions based on available evidence, increasing their independence of thought and intrinsic motivation to learn.
Communication Skills
Through research, students enhance their written and oral communication skills. They learn to present their findings effectively, which is a valuable skill for future careers and academic pursuits.
Transferable Skills
Undergraduate research hones transferable skills such as problem-defining and solving, time management, and critical thinking. These skills are beneficial for future studies and are highly valued by employers.
Career Exploration and Networking
Research helps undergraduates clarify their career paths and increase their interest in various fields. It provides valuable networking opportunities with mentors and peers, allowing students to make connections that can benefit their professional growth.
Personal Growth
Undergraduate research enhances students' confidence and motivation. It encourages active learning and provides a sense of accomplishment, contributing to personal growth beyond academia.
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Research projects and programs
Columbia University is considered a research university and is one of the most prestigious research institutions in the United States and the world. It offers numerous resources, funding, and programs to help undergraduate students get involved in research activities.
Undergraduate students at Columbia University can find research projects and programs through the EVPR's Office web portal. This portal allows undergraduates to search for research opportunities and mentors across the entire university, and faculty members can post projects seeking undergraduate researchers. Students can use keywords to find projects for course credits or paid opportunities.
There are several research opportunities available for undergraduates at Columbia University, including:
- Working directly with faculty in Columbia's labs and campus sites, such as the Zuckerman Mind, Brain & Behavior Institute, and the Health Sciences Campus.
- Volunteering at university research institutes, medical centers, or hospitals, which offer flexibility in commitment and experience level.
- Pursuing independent research projects during the semester and earning course credits.
- Working as a paid research assistant with a Columbia faculty member.
- Applying to Columbia-sponsored programs such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), Amgen Scholars Program, Kluge Fellows Summer Research Program, Laidlaw Scholars Program, or Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.
- Exploring external opportunities through the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) website.
Additionally, Columbia University offers specific research programs and opportunities within certain academic departments, such as the Student Research Program in the engineering department, and the Biological Sciences department, which offers lab experience for academic credit.
To find and apply for research projects and programs, undergraduate students at Columbia University are advised to use a variety of methods, including online databases such as the Undergraduate Research Opportunities portal, the SEAS Student Research Involvement Program portal, and LionSHARE. They can also discuss opportunities with their classmates, professors, teaching assistants, advisers, and mentors, and meet with an Undergraduate Research & Fellowships adviser.
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Getting advice and help
There are many resources available to Columbia undergraduates looking for advice and help with research projects. Columbia is a research university, and as such, it offers numerous resources, funding, and programs to help students get involved in research activities.
The first step is to talk to your classmates, professors, teaching assistants, advisers, and mentors to get advice and help with brainstorming research areas of interest. If you are a Columbia College student interested in science research, you can also connect with one of the advisors in the Undergraduate Research & Fellowships Office.
There are several online databases that undergraduates can use to find research opportunities, including the Undergraduate Research Opportunities portal, the SEAS Student Research Involvement Program portal, and LionSHARE, which shares some on-campus and off-campus research positions. Premed students should use resources like the Clinical and Research Opportunities page and the Summer Programs page.
The Undergraduate Research and Fellowships website also has a list of research opportunities and resources in academic departments. You can also subscribe to listservs like the prehealth, prelaw, and prebusiness emails to receive daily alerts of opportunities.
If you are interested in working in a lab, you can contact scientists directly and express your interest in getting some experience working in their lab. Make sure to mention something about their research and be prepared to not always receive a positive response. You can also gain research experience by volunteering at university research institutes, medical centers, or hospitals, which typically allow for the greatest flexibility in commitment and experience level.
Many research opportunities do not require prior experience, but you will need to complete applicable safety training. The application process is determined by the lab or department that posts the role, so read through each individual listing to identify their timeline requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Columbia University is considered a research university and offers numerous resources, funding, and programs to help undergraduate students get involved in research activities.
Undergraduate students at Columbia University can find research opportunities through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities portal, the SEAS Student Research Involvement Program portal, and LionSHARE. They can also review the list of research opportunities and resources in academic departments on the Undergraduate Research and Fellowships website and apply to Columbia-sponsored programs such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) and Amgen Scholars Program.
Getting research experience during an undergraduate degree can aid in the pursuit of graduate school or certain career opportunities. Research experience can make an academic record look more impressive and help develop transferable skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and written and oral communication skills.
There are no specific requirements or restrictions mentioned, however, it is important to consider the time commitment required for research work on top of existing coursework. Prior experience is not always necessary, but relevant skills and knowledge may be beneficial for securing a research position.
