How to get involved in undergraduate research opportunities in the Cockrell School of Engineering:
- Be proactive. Faculty rarely advertise undergraduate research positions even though such positions exist.
- Explore your interests.
- Investigate current research in the School.
- Cockrell School of Engineering Research Web Site
- Research Centers
- Departmental Web Sites
- Each department web site has a faculty section. Check out the faculty listings, their web sites, and their biographies.
- Each department web site has a research center, research area, and/or laboratory listing either under its own research section or within the faculty section.
- UT Library Online for engineering faculty publications
- The University of
Texas at Austin Research Web Site
- Identify two or three research projects that interest you.
- Talk to other undergraduates or graduate students about what is expected of an undergraduate researcher.
- Be prepared to talk to faculty about your interests and how they relate to the work being done in the lab.
- Request a meeting with the faculty member in charge of the project.
- Send an e-mail to request an appointment or go to the faculty member’s office during office hours
- Express your interest in his/her research project and your interest in getting involved
- During the meeting:
- Ask questions about the project to show your interest and enthusiasm
- Ask faculty if they have paid or volunteer research opportunities for undergraduate students
- Provide a resume – The Engineering Career Assistance Center can help
- Follow up with the faculty member after the meeting with a brief thank you
e-mail
- Thank the faculty member for his/her time
- Tell the faculty member you would like to work on his/her project
- Tell the faculty member you look forward to hearing from him/her
Established Programs and Student Organizations
Texas Research Experience (TREX) sponsored by Equal Opportunity in Engineering (EOE)
Graduates Linking with Undergraduates in Engineering (GLUE) sponsored by Women in Engineering Program (WEP)
SURGe is a student group that works to foster a cohesive undergraduate research community here at UT. It is network of individual students (some doing research in labs and some not) who meet to discuss and promote involvement in scientific research on campus.
Undergraduate Research Journal: A student-edited, multi-disciplinary journal of undergraduate research at The University of Texas at Austin published each spring semester.
Research Experience Databases
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) database is a web searchable listing of all NSF REU's.
The Summer Research Experience Database is a web searchable listing of hundreds of summer research programs around the world. The database is sponsored by the College of Natural Sciences in cooperation with the Cockrell School of Engineering.
Check out the College of Natural Sciences'
Summer
Research webpage for additional useful information including how to write a
personal statement and how to get the best recommendation letters.
Funding Your Research
There are many opportunities for undergraduate researchers to receive funding, recognition, and awards for research activities. For more information, visit EUREKA's Scholarships and Special Programs Web site or the College of Natural Sciences Undergraduate Research Program's Funding Links Web site.