<p>I was wondering if any current Aggies can comment on the state of undergraduate research at UCD. I currently go to UCM and was accepted as a transfer. I have an interview this week to obtain a position in a stem cell lab at UCM, but would prefer to go to UCD for my undergraduate years (closer to home, better program). </p>
<p>Seeing as how undergraduate research would look impressive on a resume and application to graduate school, I don’t want to give up my spot at UCM just yet. How easy is it to obtain a research spot at UCD?</p>
<p>I poked around at the Undergraduate Research website for a bit, but I’d like a student’s perspective on this. </p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>research opportunities are everywhere, but it’s up to you to look for them.</p>
<p>they’re not difficult to obtain, but it depends on where you’re looking. at the lab where i’m working, i had to hunt down my PI (i sent in a resume, interviewed, bugged him… LOL) since he usually only takes referrals from previous students. xD; but i got in eventually.</p>
<p>i wouldn’t worry too much. most aggies get some research experience before they leave.</p>
<p>HOWEVER, whether that’s USEFUL research experience or just grunt work is really up to whoever you work with. i’m actually running experiments and learning actual techniques; however, i’ve had friends tell me that their research consisted of watering plants (they were in a plant lab). : P</p>
<p>Hey there fusionall,</p>
<p>The undergraduate research opportunities at UCD are phenomenal. We have somewhere between 10 and 12 research institutes and even more professors doing individual research. Currently, I work for a professor in the Political Science/International Relations department as a Research Assistant, and I found my job by looking at the UCD job listings website, Aggie Job Link. However, a lot of students I know actually bonded with professors in their classes and were able to find research opportunities that way too. I highly recommend UCD as a venue for undergraduate research opportunities.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>^^ that’s good to know.</p>
<p>Anisha08-
My D is also a IR major—what kind of research are you doing? Any place specific she should be looking. Any great professors to “get to know”?</p>