- Earn good grades and make yourself known to your professors. Undergraduate research is competitive and you are more likely to be accepted with the faculty member of your choice if you have a strong record of academic excellence.
- Choose an area of biology that you find interesting and corresponds to one of the areas of faculty expertise here at Georgia Tech. Think about the biology courses you have enjoyed most, then think about how these courses fit in with your career goals - for example, are you seeking a career in medicine, the biotech industry or in environmental protection? Within these or other areas, it is best to identify the faculty member whose research program most closely fits your interests. Recent publications of most biology faculty are listed on faculty members’ web pages. You can read about faculty research interests and ongoing projects at the links below:
- After identifying faculty members, tell them about your interest in research and ask to meet with them to discuss their current research projects and your potential participation beginning in a specific semester. At this point it is important to emphasize why you think that an undergraduate research project would be a valuable experience for you and why you would be a good choice for the faculty member. Undergraduate research is a learning opportunity for students AND enables student to make unique contributions to science. So don’t forget that you need to think about how your work will benefit other scientists and our understanding of biology in general, not just how you will benefit.
- Do not be discouraged if the first professor tells you no. There are many reasons why faculty may not want to take on more undergraduate researchers. The most common is that their lab is full and space and equipment are limited, or they may be over-committed with committee assignments or teaching duties. Your chances of being invited to join a research group are better if you get to know a professor. Take their classes and show an interest in their work. If you are courteously persistent and demonstrate success in your coursework, an opportunity is likely to come your way.
You can contact your Biology Advisor for more help with this process.
