You can get involved with research as an undergraduate student! Many opportunities exist, from volunteering with faculty to conducting your own study. You could find a research opportunity that not only complements your academic work at the University of Minnesota, but also helps you explore a career in research. Your CSE Academic Advising team has some helpful suggestions to get you started:
Connect with our CSE undergraduate peer research advocates.
If you are new to research a great place to start is with our CSE undergraduate peer research advocates. You can email cseresearch@umn.edu to speak with them and learn more about what to expect and how to get started.
Reflect on your experiences and academic interests.
What topics do you enjoy? What innovations fascinate you? What have you learned about in your courses that makes you feel inspired or want to learn more? Make some notes and narrow down your interests.
Figure out what type of research experience you want.
Do you want to start developing research skills while having more flexibility? You can volunteer to work in a faculty research lab. This is a great way to get started, gain research experience, and work closely with faculty who could be a become a future mentor or reference.
Hoping that your research experience could earn academic credit? Doing a directed research experience will allow you to earn credit while working in a faculty research lab.
Do you want a student job in a research lab? You can search our student job board to see what opportunities are available. Our CSE Career Services team can help you prepare your resume and cover letter and build your interviewing skills.
Are you hoping for funding for your research experience? UROP offers funding to University of Minnesota undergraduate students to work on a research project with a faculty mentor. Applications are accepted twice a year.
You can find information on the many research opportunities in CSE by visiting the CSE Undergraduate Research webpage, including more examples of ways to get involved.
Seek out faculty members for help.
Explore faculty bios on department websites. This is the best way to connect with faculty whose research areas align with your interests. Schedule a meeting with a faculty member or visit them during their office hours. Be honest and direct about what you are looking for in your research experience. More tips can be found on our CSE Undergraduate Research page.
Another great resource, Experts@Minnesota, has a searchable database to help you find scholars who do research in your area of interest. Read research papers from faculty you are interested in working with. You do not need to stay within your department to do research if a professor in another department shares a research interest with you! Many different departments and colleges at the University of Minnesota can utilize the skills and expertise of CSE students.
Complete the self-paced Think Like A Researcher online Canvas course.
This free course is designed to help undergraduate students become comfortable with the research skills and tools needed to get started with faculty sponsored research.
If you have additional questions about research opportunities, your CSE Academic Advisor is here to help. Contact your Advisor, or visit Advising drop-ins - Monday-Friday, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. in 105 Lind Hall.
If you have additional questions about research opportunities, your CSE Academic Advisor is here to help. Contact your Advisor, or visit Advising drop-ins - Monday-Friday, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. in 105 Lind Hall.
