The first step to joining a research team as an undergraduate is to choose a project that you are interested in.
If you want to do research as a volunteer:
Contact the professor listed as the researcher, and arrange with them a time when you will be available on a regular basis. Review what your duties will be as a member of their research team, and establish how often you will update each other on the progress of your work.
If you want to earn a research citation:
Attend a Maryland Student Researchers forum held during the first month of each semester or visit the Maryland Center for Undergraduate Research (2100D McKeldin Library). Review the faculty directory page, then decide on a research project that you have interest in and a faculty member that you would like to work with. Contact the faculty member to discuss the terms of the research assistant position including qualifications, number of work hours required per week and expectations.
Once the faculty member has agreed to have you assist with their research, print the faculty-student agreement form. Students should complete page one and the faculty mentor should complete page two. Return the form to the Maryland Center for Undergraduate Research (2100D McKeldin Library). Make sure you adhere to the timeline.
Complete research and showcase achievements at the Maryland Undergraduate Research Day held annually in April. There will be additional forms to complete with Office of Undergraduate Research to receive a research notation on your transcript.
If you want to earn credit for conducting research:
Decide on a project of interest. Contact the researcher about qualifications, expectations, time commitments, and necessary assignments. Contact the departments advising office to explain research, and agree on the number of credits to be received for research. Students doing research for credit are also encouraged to present at the Maryland Undergraduate Research Day.
If you have questions about undergraduate research opportunities, please contact:
Maryland Center for Undergraduate Research
2100D McKeldin Library
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Email: ugresearch@umd.edu
Web: http://www.ugresearch.umd.edu/
