Undergrad Research

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>I haven't done any research yet but I think I'm going to try and join a lab this semester and I have a few questions that hopefully people with experience could answer. Roughly how much time would I be expected to devote to the lab? How long would I be expected to stick with a lab (could I switch after a semester for instance?)? How much supervision would I have while actually doing lab work? I'll ask more questions if I think of them, thanks in advance for the help.</p>

2

<p>

</p>

<p>You should talk to your PI about this, but typically 10-15 hours a week.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>It depends. Stick around as long as you like the people and the work that you’re doing. Generally, it reflects bad on you if you constantly switch labs.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>It depends on your knowledge, motivation, and project. Some PIs will check-in on you more often than others. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, advice, help, etc. You will be new to it.</p>

3

<p>I’m wondering something about research in undergrad school; I know this may seem like a silly question, but when beginning research, is it something like high school science fair where you decide what you want to do research on, or will you be helping a professor with some research, or if there’s some sort of research projects already going on at a university/lab would you be helping them?</p>

4

<p>you probably will be helping a professor with an ongoing project. you will probably working with one of his grad students.</p>

5

<p>Undergrad Research at Lafayette College
Since Lafayette College is strictly undergrad focused (i.e. no grad students) they have developed the EXCEL Scholars program.
[Lafayette</a> College - Excel Scholars](<a href=“http://www.lafayette.edu/academics/excel.html]Lafayette”>http://www.lafayette.edu/academics/excel.html)</p>

<p>Lafayette believes that close working relationships between students and faculty members greatly enhance the educational experience. Students have the opportunity to do undergraduate research on their own (with faculty guidance) or jointly with a faculty member. In 2008, 22 Lafayette students presented papers at the annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research. Lafayette’s delegation is one of the largest among the 350 institutions that participate.
[National</a> Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)](<a href=“http://www.lafayette.edu/academics/ncur.html]National”>http://www.lafayette.edu/academics/ncur.html)</p>