<p>I'm a rising sophmore at Case, and i'm looking for research opps. for the upcoming academic year, particularly in the bio/biochem/chem departments. Does anybody have any suggestions in going about getting a position? Should i just start emailing research faculty within these departments and hope something good happens?</p>
<p>Do you know your academic advisor reasonably well? Many of my friends and I got our first campus research experience through our advisor (some in the advisor's research group, others not). The profs tend to know who needs helps and who is just incredibly overcrowded and can't take on any additional students. I'm not sure how the advisor thing works anymore with SAGES, but if you've met with your academic advisor in your major at least once, I'd try to contact them first.</p>
<p>If you don't hear something back from your advisor within a week or so, then I'd start branching out. I'd focus on contacting professors that seem to have a good working relationship with undergrads. (ie you know of other undergrads who have worked in their labs, they have undergrad TAs, great open door office policies, etc). Of course, also try to match them according to the type of work they do and what interests you most, but getting your foot in the door might be the most important thing. (I'm not sure of the type of research you're most interested in, but I know of a few professors in various departments that have been good at working with undergrads - PM me if you'd like names).</p>
<p>Another option is research for credit. Several departments host these courses (I did an independent study in the physiology department) - the professors are more likely to work with you because it's a short term deal with little commitment on their end. If you work out well, they will often allow you to continue working in their lab at the end, but they don't have to if they don't like you. I'm not sure what is available in bio/biochem/chem specifically, but I know there are several out there (polymer science and physiology are two I know off the top of my head).</p>
<p>thanks a lot for the info! I do have a specific biochem advisor, so i will email him first, and see how that goes. To be honest, he never seemed all that interested in me as an undergrad, but we'll see how it goes. I'm also going to PM you about those names, and some more detailed information.</p>
<p>Although I do not work at Case, my professional area is biomedical research. I also would look into summer research opportunities that can then extend into the school year, whether for credit or not. Summer is a good time to focus your full efforts on a project and you may even be able to get some substantive research done. The school year has a lot of competing interests for your time and energy. Even if you took the research for credit, you still will have other coursework to do. If you have a project in place from the preceding summer, it is much easier to build upon that experience, though.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice pmyen. Currently, my summer is filled with a shadowing position, so i am looking to begin at the start of the academic year. However, i am hoping that the opportunity i am pursuing will follow through to the summer, and eventually turn into a long-lasting project.</p>