Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Research Opportunities at Clemson
Undergraduate research experience serves to consolidate all your scientific training into a single keystone experience; therefore, the department and the university strongly encourages undergraduates to pursue independent research as part of their education. Furthermore, both medical and graduate school admissions committees place research experience high on the list of admissions criteria when considering applicants.
GEN/BIOCHEM 491 provides opportunities for students to carry out independent research projects under the guidance of Clemson faculty mentors. Students learn the latest cutting edge methodologies in biochemical and genetic research while improving observation and communication skills. In addition, faculty mentors receive the opportunity to share excitement about their work with an enthusiastic undergraduate.
You don't have to wait until your senior year to start in a lab—faculty are generally most enthusiastic about a student who spends several semesters (even years!) in the lab. Those longer-term research experiences will be particularly beneficial as your faculty mentor will be especially committed to your training and further education. We have had very successful students start research in labs as early as the sophomore year. Some faculty are happy to mentor you for a single semester, while others prefer a longer commitment.
Where should you start?
The easiest way is to contact a faculty member whose work interests you (see faculty profiles for more information on mentors). Look at individual faculty profiles for those who look especially interesting; another place to look is at the recent publications of a mentor with whom you are interested in working. Contact the faculty member by e-mail and ask if that professor is interested in having an undergraduate doing research in the lab. If so, arrange to meet with the faculty member to discuss potential projects. It is best to try to line up a meeting at least two semesters prior to the one in which you want to get started.
Summer Research Opportunities
Many faculty in the Department of Genetics and Biochemistry offer summer research opportunities for undergraduates; in many cases you may be able to continue spring semester research into the summer or begin fall semester research early.
If you are interested in other summer research opportunities then please consider the following programs and read more by clicking the link to the program's website:
National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates