Undergraduate Research

Enhance your coursework with real-world experience by collaborating with IU Indianapolis faculty and fellow students on projects in your field of study. You’ll expand upon what you’re learning as you earn your bachelor’s degree, and discover how to put theory into practice in fields from bioinformatics to human-computer interaction.

Students who engage in undergraduate research gain working knowledge of what goes into an academic research project. This includes not only doing research, but also working to obtain grants for undergraduate research, and sharing findings.

Getting started

Step 1: Learn about the research going on in our departments and beyond. Identify two or three areas that interest you.

• Visit faculty web pages to learn about their fields of interest.
• When available, explore, and read their latest research publications (you can also search for the faculty name on Google Scholar).
• Talk to your advisor about your research interests and about the faculty you would like to work with.
• Talk to other students and your TAs about their research.
• Update your resume.

Step 2: Contact two or three faculty members and ask for an appointment to discuss their research, share your resume, and the possibility of an undergraduate position in their lab.

If you don’t hear back within a few weeks, send another email or drop by their office. In your discussion, clarify if you are looking for:

• Advising for a research-focused Capstone project
• Independent study in an area related to the faculty member’s research
• A paid research opportunity in their lab for one or more semesters

Early planning is crucial. Because faculty may have several ongoing research projects at any given time, get started on this process at least 2-3 months before the beginning of the semester in which you are looking to start a research experience.