Undergraduate Research

ChBE students who perform laboratory research learn valuable lab skills, independent thinking, design of experiments, and boost their resumes. There are numerous opportunities, as detailed below.

Research for Pay

  • Check our Careers page for open undergraduate research positions.
  • (DLA) - Students may also find a research position through application to the College of Engineering's DLAP.
  • (UROP) - Students may apply for financial assistance through UROP; the UROP office is located in Norlin S430, and their phone number is 303.492.2596.Ìý
  • (NIST PREP) - Fellowships are awarded for students to work in NIST labs. GPA > 3.0.
  • (SMART) - The SMART program offers ten-week research internships for historically underserved undergraduates in science and engineering each summer.
  • Faculty - Some faculty have research grants specifically designed to support undergraduates; students should inquire directly with individual professors of interest (see the "How to Get Started" tab).
  • (REU's) - these programs can be found throughout the world. Here at CU, some REU programs of interest include:
    • - Students are involved in an internationally recognized research program at the cutting edge of liquid crystal science and technology, immersing them in an intensively interdisciplinary research culture.Ìý
    • - The goals of this ten-week summer REU Site at the University of Colorado are to provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to conduct research in the area of Environmental Sustainability, emphasizing multimedia approaches (air, water, soil), while training them in experimental design, data collection, and data interpretation Ìý

Class Credit

Please see more on Senior Thesis and Independent Study on the Undergraduate Opportunities webpage. Ìý

Volunteering in the Lab

Even if no paying positions are available and class credit is not an option, volunteering in the lab can still provide valuable experience. This is especially true for freshmen, sophomores or those with little to no research or work experience.

How to Get Started

  1. Talk to upperclassmen about their research experiences.
  2. Peruse the Research by Area webpage and determine which research areas are of interest to you.
  3. After determining a research area, read more about the ChBE professors working in that area by clicking on their names. To later demonstrate your depth of knowledge, read the abstract/introduction of one of two of their papers.
  4. If possible, talk to graduate students working in the labs of interest to you. Learn more about their projects and whether or not there is need for an undergraduate researcher.
  5. To increase your desirability, apply for funding through DLA, UROP, BURST, or NIST PREP (see "Opportunities" tab for details on these programs).
  6. Meet with Career Services to polish up your resume.
  7. Send an email with your resume to the professor(s) of interest. Indicate why you would like to work in his or her lab, whether or not you have DLA/UROP/BURST funding, and whether or not you would consider starting out without pay. Ask to schedule a short appointment.
  8. If desired, follow up a few days later with another email or office visit to quickly introduce yourself. Do not be discouraged if multiple follow-ups are required.

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