<p>hey doc,
yep there are options for 1/2 years without question especially in compsci.</p>
<p>here are research opportunities specifically in compsci.
[Undergraduate</a> Research Involvement Program: Department of Computer Science](<a href=“http://www.engineering.columbia.edu/urip/pages/opportunities/cs/index.html]Undergraduate”>http://www.engineering.columbia.edu/urip/pages/opportunities/cs/index.html)</p>
<p>there are some prereqs that are as you note for some labs, but others are more open ended and definitely look for just about anyone.</p>
<p>beyond this, a lot of the action at columbia is how you sell yourself, many columbia students have convinced profs that they can handle it, and though it is more daunting without the prereqs so much of research is learning in the fly for almost any discipline (coming from someone who has done science and social science research while in college). so if you find a project in the lot that you find interesting, you should have the gaul to say “hi prof, i know i am not quite there, but i want to be, and think working with you and more advanced students is the way to get there.” and they often respect that you’ve asked which makes them want to give you a shot.</p>
<p>same with internships. but consider if you start researching right away - then internships will love the work you’ve already accomplished. so the earlier you start, the more aggressive (without being a turn off) you are is in relation to the opportunities you will have.</p>
<p>academics are pretty brash people themselves (once upon a time they were the 19 yo trying to sneak into the compsci research group) so they respect people who have that attitude, but can come across without absurd self-promotion.</p>