Undergrad opportunities

Participants in the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at the Mountain Research Station

Undergraduate students at INSTAAR assist with funded research projects and conduct their own thesis research and independent studies.

Undergrad Max Wasser releases a pika up in the alpine as part of his study of pikas and snow-cover

Undergrad Max Wasser did an honors thesis related to pikas and snow-cover, working with INSTAAR faculty research scientist Chris Ray.  Thesis title: Using high-resolution snowpack models to explain patterns of habitat loss for the american pika.

 

For undergrad students with interests in earth and environmental science, INSTAAR provides a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary training, research experience in the field and lab, and access to a wide variety of analytical and computational facilities beyond those of their home academic departments. Undergraduate students are often co-authors on peer-reviewed scientific papers and ocasionally are the first author.  Many undergraduates associated with INSTAAR go on to graduate programs and successful research careers.

Hands-on research

Many INSTAAR researchers and labs participate in programs (some with paid positions) that help connect undergraduates to hands-on scientific research.  Additional opportunities come from independent study, field courses, and employment.

 

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

This program funds research, scholarly and creative work with several types of grants that pair undergraduates with CU science faculty members. UROP is dedicated to providing equitable access to the university's research and creative resources with inclusive outreach aligned with the diversity of student experiences.

The Arts and Sciences Honors Program provides a community for highly motivated and academically prepared undergraduate students and offers opportunities for intellectual engagement through honors courses, academic-inspired events, and honors thesis research and creative work.  Multiple undergraduates have conducted research at INSTAAR to complete their Honors theses.

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)

Not currently active. This program brings undergrads doing research in ecology to the  and provides them with faculty mentors. Students from groups underrepresented in academic biology are encouraged to attend; about a third of students have been from minority groups.

Field courses at the Mountain Research Station

 

Courses are designed to provide students a hands-on field research experience. Emphasis is one small class size and informal interaction with the instructors and fellow students. Course credit is readily transferable to other institutions and meets the application requirement for CU's Environmental Studies program.

Field/lab technician job with an INSTAAR research group

 

Many labs at INSTAAR hire student hourly employees throughout the year as research technicians in both the field and lab. Please contact the Professor or Researcher who manages the labs you might like to join. Key responsibilities and hiring ranges follow Office of Student Employment policy.  

Independent study project with your department

 

Independent Study is an opportunity for students to earn academic credit for learning outside the formal class structure, under the individual direction of a faculty member. Independent Study is provided to fill an academic need of importance to the student that cannot be filled by the regular curriculum. Check your department for options.

How to apply

Explore your options

Survey the INSTAAR lab and research groups for topics and approaches that fit your interests.

Get in touch with us

Prospective students are encouraged to contact:

  • INSTAAR faculty working in their areas of interest. If you are a prospective grad student, they can tell you before you apply to CU if they are accepting new students, and help answer your questions about departments as well as INSTAAR. If you are an undergrad, they can let you know about their research opportunities and possible employment.
  • Graduate students already working with those faculty members can be helpful too.

Email general INSTAAR-related student questions to instaar@colorado.edu.

Choose a partner department

Students conduct their research at INSTAAR, but INSTAAR is not a degree-granting department. Grad students should register for a degree program in one of the CU Boulder departments associated with INSTAAR: , , , , , Geological Sciences, or . Some students choose to participate in interdepartmental programs like Hydrological Sciences or the as well.

Many INSTAAR faculty members also have a full-time appointment in a department. It is not required that a student be in the same department as the INSTAAR faculty member supervising their research, but it does make parts of the process, like choosing an advisor and assembling a thesis committee, more straightforward.

Questions?

Email general INSTAAR-related student questions to instaar@colorado.edu.