Whether you intend to go to medical school, graduate school, or begin your career without further training, undergraduate research has multiple benefits. You will find it to be highly rewarding and enriching. You will learn about yourself, and learn a wide range of skills necessary for performing cutting-edge research; including practical, literature searching, and writing and communication skills. You’ll also make new friends, both in the form of fellow undergraduate researchers, as well as graduate students and post-doctoral researchers. Importantly, undergraduate research will also strengthen your CV for the next chapter of your life. Irrespective of whether you intend to go to medical school, graduate school, or move directly into industry, search/hiring committees are always enthusiastic about a candidate’s undergraduate research experience, and with it, the possibility of your work being published in the chemical literature.
How To Get Started in Undergraduate Research
There are many opportunities for highly motivated undergraduates to perform research in the Department of Chemistry. The two main mechanisms for undergraduate research are: 1) Independent Studies, completed for course credit, and; 2) funded, non-credit, based research. More details are given below.
To find research opportunities, you should begin by reviewing the current research projects of the Chemistry faculty . Subsequently, make direct inquiries with the faculty member(s) whose research most closely matches yours. Note that a singular email is not always effective in reaching out to faculty, so do not hesitate to send a follow-up email, or better still, knock on doors and ask if you can make an appointment to talk about the possibilities.
The most common mechanism by which undergraduates gain research experience is through earning Independent Study credit. Students register for Independent Study in the Chemistry Department after discussing the details of the research, time commitment, responsibilities, etc. with the faculty member. Scheduling with the faculty member and the group member you’ll be working with are key here. Independent study can be taken for up to 6 A-F graded credits. Additional credits can also be earned by signing up for S/U graded credits.
Level of effort: Each credit awarded represents:
1 credit – Study/Research time must be an average of 3 to 5 hours a week.
2 credits – Study/Research time must be an average of 6 to 9 hours a week.
3 credits – Study/Research time must be an average of 10 to 12 hours a week.
For the Biological Chemistry major, the independent study can count to fulfill major credit. Check with your major advisor if you are not sure. The Department of Chemistry may give credit for research performed with other faculty (e.g., at the medical school), so check with your major advisor to see what your options are.
Chemistry Major Advisor: Dr. Mark Sulkes
Biological Chemistry Major Advisor: Dr. Mallory Cortez
Registration for Independent Study
Fill out the independent study form with your faculty research advisor. If you are working in a non-Tulane laboratory, you will need to have your Biological Chemistry major advisor sign on as your instructor of record who will be in contact with your research supervisor about your progress. The title of the independent study is limited to 30 characters (including spaces). This will be the name that appears on your official transcript and should be descriptive of your research project. Once the form is completed and signed by both you and your supervisor (and major advisor, if needed), email it to the Chemistry Department Administrator, Jessica Stephenson.
Once emailed, you will be registered for the course by the department. When you are registered for the course, you will receive an email from the department, notifying you that your independent study research has been added to your schedule.
Undergraduate Research Funding
In addition to the Independent Study mechanism, a variety of funding opportunities may allow a student to carry our paid undergraduate research. Paid research — either an hourly wage or a stipend — can be carried out during the semester, but is more typically secured for the summer months; allowing the student to stay in New Orleans during that time. The most common funding source is the faculty member themselves. However, this is dependent on whether, at the time of asking, a faculty member has secured appropriate external support. Beyond faculty supported research, Tulane and the State of Louisiana offer a number of mechanisms by which a student can secure funds for research. Click on the following links for more information:
Tulane Internal Student Research Funding
Newcomb Tulane College Grant Funding
Center for Engaged Learning & Teaching Research Funding
Table of Student Grant Opportunities
External Research Funding
