<p>Hi, incoming freshman here. I'm aware there are incredible and vast opportunities for undergraduate research at WashU, but I just had a few questions...</p>
<ul>
<li>Could someone please elaborate on the Bio 200/500 courses? Do freshmen usually take Bio 200?<br></li>
<li>What is the best method to start research if you're not involved in a summer program or if you don't have any existing grant money?</li>
<li>Is it to your detriment if you have no research experience?</li>
</ul>
<p>I'm sure I'll have more questions, but thanks in advance for the help :)</p>
<p>I can comment on your second and third questions only, since I’m not a bio/pre-med major.</p>
<p>Very easy to get involved with undergrad research. The most centralized way is with the Undergrad Research Office. It’s staffed with a bunch of advisors who coordinate research opportunities for undergrads in really every academic discipline, both on-campus and national programs/fellowships in other locales. There are other, informal ways (talk to a professor or your main advisor). </p>
<p>If your question is asking if it is to your detriment that you haven’t been involved in research prior to college - then no, it isn’t.</p>
<ul>
<li>Could someone please elaborate on the Bio 200/500 courses? Do freshmen usually take Bio 200? </li>
</ul>
<p>The Bio 200 course is for freshmen/sophomores, and is 1 to 3 credits, with each credit worth about 3-4hrs/wk research time. Bio 500 course is similar except more rigorous and your PI (principle investigators) would probably expect more from you since you would be more experienced.) I am a current freshman and I have taken Bio 200 in my spring. This is not very common though as most of my friends seem to be going to take it in sophomore year</p>
<ul>
<li>What is the best method to start research if you’re not involved in a summer program or if you don’t have any existing grant money?</li>
</ul>
<p>Actively seek for mentors early, especially in your fall semester when there are still space available. Search for mentors both on campus and in the medical school, as the medical school has way more opportunities. My research is done on campus, and I find it a lot more convenient though since I don’t have to take the metro every time to get there. Tell your mentor that you have no real lab experience prior, and most will be okay with that since they will train you and since you are at WashU, they expect you will be capable of doing the work unless proven otherwise. Definitely start early since most people who get rejected from labs are usually because the lab mentors simply cannot take more people. Also, by starting early and actively seeking mentors, you will show much more enthusiasm and potential, which the mentors like. You will also have more time to work in the lab and get to know things better, and will be in a much better position if you are thinking of doing research during the summer and can write a much better proposal.</p>
<ul>
<li>Is it to your detriment if you have no research experience?</li>
</ul>
<p>No, as explained above. Lab mentors will like that you have some research experience, but most likely the work you do will be quite specialized and your prior research experience will likely not impact that as much, unless it is specificially on the subject that you have worked on previously. Lab mentors generally seem to care more about personality, whether you will be able to work well with the other members of the lab, and can be depended upon.</p>
<p>Their responses are pretty much correct (though I personally would argue that cold emailing/calling professors is a better strategy than going to the office of undergraduate research). One thing I’d add is that in my experience, it is much easier to get research in the Med School. There are more labs that are open/have funding than on campus (though its also a bit less convenient, though there is a metro stop right there). I wouldn’t email/call yet though. If you’re not even in town, you can’t really have any meetings/interviews with labs that want you (ie. “I’ll be there in a month” wastes the lab’s time). I wouldn’t expect much out of larger intro courses. The professors generally have a deluge of students who ask about their research, and therefore usually have full labs, though it never hurts to try. Not having research experience won’t hurt you. Most people don’t prior to coming.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the helpful responses you three! Just a few other questions…</p>
<p>To sign up for Bio 200, do you simply tell your advisor or should you have found a faculty mentor first? </p>
<p>Is there a different method to finding research at the medical school versus finding research on the undergrad campus?</p>
<p>Are professors still willing to mentor you even if you don’t qualify for work study?</p>
<p>Thanks so much again!</p>
<p>Yeah it’s not hard at all to get involved and it doesn’t necessarily have to deal with the sciences. I did research through my Writing 1 class and presented my work today at the undergrad research symposium.</p>
<p>Edit: 666th post. Lovely.</p>
<p>I don’t know about bio 200 signup. The method of finding research at the med school is the same as on campus: 1. Try to get the gist of what they (the lab) do before you ask. 2. Send them an email with a resume/why you want to join up with them (also include availability for a meeting if they are interested). 3. Meet. 4. They/you decide if you both want each other.<br>
Professors don’t generally care if you qualify for work study when it comes to research positions.</p>
<p>Work study doesn’t usually apply to research (although seldom it can).</p>
<p>Work Study can absolutely apply to research positions. However, because you are getting paid, you will likely also have to take care of the responsibilities of the work study job as well as your research position.</p>
<p>^exactly. I do research for work-study. But, in addition I do the normal work-study stuff like wash glassware, autoclave stuff, etc.</p>