Undergraduate Research Opportunities at the University of Maryland

Introduction

The University of Maryland (UMD) offers a wealth of undergraduate research opportunities across various disciplines. These experiences provide invaluable insight into potential career paths, specialized training, and the chance to build a professional network. From on-campus laboratories to nearby federal research centers, UMD students have access to diverse and enriching research experiences. Co-curricular experiences such as internships, volunteer opportunities, and undergraduate research are an integral part of the undergraduate academic program.

Benefits of Undergraduate Research

Engaging in undergraduate research offers numerous benefits for students, enhancing their academic and professional development. Early exposure to research enhances students’ readiness for graduate school and their chosen career paths. These advantages include:

Skill Development: Students develop a strong set of transferable skills and a comprehensive understanding of scientific research.
Career Exploration: Research opportunities provide insight into career paths and job-specific training.
Networking: Students gain the chance to begin developing a professional network.
Graduate School Preparation: Research experience enhances readiness for graduate studies.

Integrated Life Sciences (ILS) Honors Citation Research Experience

For students in the Integrated Life Sciences (ILS) program, a 240-hour research experience is a requirement to earn their ILS Honors Citation. This requirement is designed to ensure that all ILS students, regardless of prior experience, gain a strong foundation in scientific research.

Timing: It is strongly advised that students do not pursue research until the summer after their first year at the absolute earliest. This allows students to:
1. Get a strong academic footing in the first year of college to build the foundation of a strong transcript before adding in other responsibilities
2. Acclimate to the pace and rigor of the college environment and learning a new self-care routine
3. Have enough experience to know what to look for in a lab and with a project that will be the best fit for each student
4. Be a more attractive candidate by PIs and supervisors for their research

ILS students should refer to the ELMS page and Dr. Kramer for specifics on their Research Experience requirements and consider enrolling in BSCI279H Catalyst Seminar in the Spring semester of their first year in the ILS program.

ILS Research Internship Requirements

Request appropriate letters of recommendation through the student portal (see the Admissions tab), prepare your CV, and cover letter.
Start applying.
Submit to Dr. Kramer within the first week of your research internship.
Complete your e-portfolio and submit to Dr. Kramer for final sign-off for the ILS research internship requirement.

On-Campus Research Opportunities

UMD offers a plethora of on-campus research opportunities, allowing students to work with renowned faculty researchers in world-class laboratories.

Biological Sciences (BSCI) Program

The Biological Sciences (BSCI) program at UM has been recognized for its excellence in undergraduate research. Over the last decade, the BSCI program has awarded over 300 prestigious HHMI Fellowships for Undergraduate Research to UM undergraduates. This fellowship requires that students have already identified a research mentor and have a well-developed research plan. HHMI applicants are typically already working in a UM laboratory before they apply for the HHMI Fellowship. These fellowships provide up to $6,000 in stipend support for up to one year.

Maryland Center for Undergraduate Student Researcher

The Maryland Center for Undergraduate Student Researcher offers students the opportunity to assist faculty members with scholarly research over the semester, spending 4 to 6 hours a week working under the direction of their faculty mentor.

Off-Campus Research Opportunities

The University of Maryland's location near Washington D.C. provides students with access to numerous federal and non-profit research agencies.

Proximity to Research Institutions

The proximity of UMD to numerous federal and non-profit research agencies affords ILS students the opportunity to undertake research in some world class organizations: NIH, National Cancer Institute, Smithsonian Institution, USDA-Beltsville, and the J. Craig Venter Institute. Summer internship programs offer the experience of working with renowned leaders in the fields of biological, biomedical, and ecological research. Students who wish to conduct research over the summer, but who are not local, are encouraged to seek research experiences close to their homes.

Internships in the Baltimore-Washington Corridor

Students in CMNS have a wealth of opportunities in faculty research laboratories on campus, or with the wide range of federal laboratories, research institutes, and private companies in the Baltimore-Washington corridor. Most students do more than one internship during their undergraduate years.

Read also: Undergraduate Research at CU

Finding a Faculty Research Mentor

Finding a suitable research experience takes some work on your part. Here are the usual steps:

Browse through descriptions of each faculty member's research to identify several potential mentors who are doing research that matches your own intellectual interests and career goals. Here are some places to start:
- College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences
  - Astronomy
  - Atmospheric and Oceanic Science
  - Biology
  - Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics
  - Chemistry and Biochemistry
  - Computer Science
  - Entomology
  - Geology
  - Mathematics
  - Physics
- College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
  - Animal and Avian Sciences
  - Environmental Science and Technology
  - Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research
  - Nutrition and Food Science
  - Plant Science and Landscape Architecture
  - Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
- College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
  - Anthropology
  - Hearing and Speech Sciences
  - Psychology
- School of Public Health
- All departments
- Clark School of Engineering
  - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
  - Fischell Department of Bioengineering
Keep in mind that scientific research transcends traditional departmental boundaries, so a broad search strategy is helpful. For example, students interested in life sciences research can expand their search to include faculty in these departments.
Ask around: Your current and past professors may be accepting students or know of any colleagues who are. Your academic advisor might know of mentors who would be a good match for your interests.
In your first contact with potential faculty mentors, you should tell them:

Read also: Comprehensive Internship Guide
- Your year (e.g., sophomore)
- Your GPA
- Any relevant research or laboratory experience you already have
- Your general research interests or goals (Try not to be too specific with your interests, as you are unlikely to find a perfect match. Keep in mind that you can gain valuable transferable skills even when the subject of your research is quite different from what you ultimately hope to investigate.)
Plan to meet with each potential faculty mentor in person, tour their lab, and speak to other students in the lab (both graduate and undergraduate) before making a final decision.
After you have decided upon which research opportunity is best for you, it’s a good idea to make an explicit agreement with your mentor that specifies:
- How much time you will spend in the lab
- The days and hours you will work
- Your responsibilities
If you wish to receive academic credit for your work, you should then contact the Coordinating Advisor or Undergraduate Program Director in the department to which your faculty mentor belongs. Each faculty member has a specific course and section number for undergraduate research, and each department has its own procedures for registering for credit.

More Structured Programs

The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program

The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is designed to prepare students who are primarily from low-income, first-generation, and traditionally underrepresented groups to pursue doctoral studies. Full-time University juniors and seniors who wish to pursue doctoral studies, enhance their skills to prepare for graduate study, and participate in undergraduate research with faculty members are eligible.

Departmental Honors Programs

Departmental Honors Programs are offered in each department. These are typically four-semester programs, with students applying in the spring of their sophomore year or fall of their junior year. Students work under the supervision of a faculty mentor to design and carry out an independent research project, which culminates in a formal defense of the research. Students receive academic credit for their research that can be applied toward their degree requirements, participate in honors seminars and, upon completion of the program, graduate "With Honors".

Funding for On-Campus Research

Many students, especially those who are new to research, volunteer their time or receive academic credit. However, there are some sources of financial support:

Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program: Offers a summer research stipend, room and board, professional development workshops, and the opportunity to attend research conferences.
Honors Research Grant: Sponsored by the University Honors College, consists of a $500 award that can be used to defray research expenses of students enrolled in Departmental Honors programs.
Faculty research grants: At the discretion of the faculty mentor.
Federal work study: A small number of laboratory positions are usually available to those who qualify.
CMNS Undergraduate Summer Research, Travel, and Educational Enrichment Award: Helps to defray costs ($500-$2,000) related to conducting research, traveling to field courses, conferences, or other summer activities that enhance or expand the student's educational and professional development.

Finding an Internship

The Washington D.C. area provides our students the opportunity to participate in research internships at federal research centers, research hospitals, and companies. Some internships offer a stipend or hourly wage, while others are unpaid. In some cases, if the internship has a strong academic component, it is possible to earn academic credit for an internship experience.

Finding the perfect internship requires a combination of luck, determination, and ingenuity. It's best to use a variety of strategies:

Keep your eyes open
Subscribe to CMNS Undergrad News
Consult with Peer Mentors (1317 Symons Hall)
Visit the University Career Center (3rd floor, Hornbake Library)
Check out the bulletin boards in academic buildings
Network
Create your own personal network of friends, professors, teaching assistants, and academic/career advisors.

Additional Resources at UMBC

UMBC backs up its commitment to undergraduate research with grant awards and faculty support, so that research can be a part of any undergraduate’s learning experience.

Creating Human Subjects Research Protocol Applications - This link directs you to the Office of Research Protections and Compliance. The ORPC team provides guidance to undergraduate students who will create, with a faculty advisor, their own human subjects use application (via the IRB) or who may participate in an IRB approval as a research team member.
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) - UMBC is committed to instilling in our research community a shared understanding and adherence to the principles of responsible conduct of research (RCR). Undergraduate students are encouraged to be educated (via the university’s CITI RCR training module subscription) about the underlying principles of responsible conduct of research. These principles ensure the integrity of the pursuit of scientific investigation and practice among scientists, scholars, and professionals as well as assist in discouraging research misconduct and questionable research practices.