<p>I noted for other universities that research seems to play a fairly large (in some schools, even required) role for undergraduates where each are even paired with a faculty member.</p>
<p>Does Harvard encourage such research at the undergrad level or do the faulty mainly or only work with graduate students? If available, do the students themselves have to take the initiative to find it or is there a structured program (or programs) in place to match students with projects and faculty? </p>
<p>Can anyone elaborate please? Also, are some areas of study more likely to allow undergraduate research than others? Which ones?</p>
<p>I’m a graduate student in a lab in the Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (SCRB) department, and we have about 6-8 undergraduates in my lab at any given time. Undergrads join our lab at the end of their freshman years, then continue working with us, developing and doing research toward their senior thesis projects.</p>
<p>Thanks molliebatmit (that was a fast reply!! :-)) – Are all undergraduates required to do a senior thesis? Or is it optional or only required with certain concentrations? Also, just how competitive are the research spots (specifically for undergraduates, please)? Can virtually anyone get one or are they extremely competitive? Also, you mentioned Biology, but is research with faculty also very prevalent in the other science areas such as physics?</p>
<p>I’ll answer what I can (for most research universities):</p>
<p>Also, just how competitive are the research spots (specifically for undergraduates, please)?</p>
<p>Honestly, not very competitive at all unless you’re aiming for the Fields Medalists/“hot” professors.</p>
<p>Can virtually anyone get one or are they extremely competitive? </p>
<p>^Yes, pretty anyone who shows interest can get a research position.</p>
<p>Also, you mentioned Biology, but is research with faculty also very prevalent in the other science areas such as physics?</p>
<p>Yes.</p>
<p>The only field I’ve had trouble getting research in is pure mathematics. You probably need a lot more background to start doing research in say low-dimensional topology than you do in say PCR or something.</p>
<p>Since you asked specifically about physics I will relay my daughter’s experience. She is currently a senior physics concentrator. She entered Harvard with no research experience. During winter break of her freshman year she reviewed the research web pages of all of the physics profs and chose one to contact about getting a spot in his lab. She sent an e-mail expressing her interest and included her first semester grades. He invited her to interview when she returned to campus which she did and she was working in his lab that first week back. It was just that simple. The department advises all physics concentrators that getting research experience as an undergrad is important for anyone who thinks they want to go to grad school and they make it very easy.</p>