mcb undergraduate research tips for successful...

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1 MCB Undergraduate Research:Tips for successful search and work Joan Huber MCB Instructor/ Advisor & Peer Researchers: Nina Hosmane Megan Parilla ([email protected] ) ([email protected] ) Danny Miller Lucas Miller ([email protected] ) ([email protected] ) Julie Jurgens ([email protected] ) April 8, 2009 217 Noyes Lab 5:00 - 6:00 pm MCB Undergraduate Research: ! Thinking ahead: …Know what you! re after …Know why it!s important to you ! Making your contacts with professors count optimize your email letters make the “interview” work for you ! Evaluating your offers ! Getting the most out of your research opportunity Panel discussion and Q&A about your research April 8, 2009 217 Noyes Lab 5:00 - 6:00 pm Plan ahead: Know what you!re after.. " A particular area of scientific interest? " A certain type of research? " Insights into where scientific “facts” originate? " Hands on skills using current tools and technologies? " Enhanced science-based verbal and written skills? " Critical thinking and data analysis skills? " Insights into career directions? " Professional ties for future opportunities? April 8, 2009 217 Noyes Lab 5:00 - 6:00 pm There are advantages to thinking about this before you begin your research -- ---or even before you search for a lab position. April 8, 2009 217 Noyes Lab 5:00 - 6:00 pm WHY is research important to you? " How does it relate to your goals? " What “transferable” skills will you gain? If you were a research scientist, how would you select an undergrad researcher? # keen to ask -- or learn how to ask -- scientific questions in a research environment. # eager to learn to communicate his/her science with others -- through discussions, presentations and writing. # open minded: i.e. motivated to explore research deeply. MCB professors say that students who are ready for research are… # excited about his/her science. # at least two semesters for research? # at least 10 hours/week (typically in 3 - 4 hour time periods) for lab work? # enough time to handle both classes and research? # a commitment to my research? # a sound academic base to support a research endeavor? (Read “Enrollment Procedures - MCB 290, MCB 492”) http://www.mcb.uiuc.edu/academics/undergrad/research.html ) First, some practical questions: Do I have…

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Page 1: MCB Undergraduate Research Tips for successful …mcb.illinois.edu/undergrad/downloads/MCB290_wkshp_040809.pdf · MCB Undergraduate Research:Tips for successful search and work

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MCB Undergraduate Research:Tips for successfulsearch and work

Joan Huber MCB Instructor/ Advisor

&

Peer Researchers:

Nina Hosmane Megan Parilla

([email protected]) ([email protected])

Danny Miller Lucas Miller ([email protected]) ([email protected])

Julie Jurgens ([email protected])

April 8, 2009 217 Noyes Lab 5:00 - 6:00 pm

MCB Undergraduate Research:

! Thinking ahead:

…Know what you!re after

…Know why it!s important to you

! Making your contacts with professors count

… optimize your email letters

… make the “interview” work for you

! Evaluating your offers

! Getting the most out of your research opportunity

Panel discussion and Q&A about your research

April 8, 2009 217 Noyes Lab 5:00 - 6:00 pm

Plan ahead: Know what you!re after..

" A particular area of scientific interest?

" A certain type of research?

" Insights into where scientific “facts” originate?

" Hands on skills using current tools and technologies?

" Enhanced science-based verbal and written skills?

" Critical thinking and data analysis skills?

" Insights into career directions?

" Professional ties for future opportunities?

April 8, 2009 217 Noyes Lab 5:00 - 6:00 pm

There are advantages to thinking about this beforeyou begin your research --

---or even before you search for a lab position.

April 8, 2009 217 Noyes Lab 5:00 - 6:00 pm

WHY is research important to you?

" How does it relate to your goals?

" What “transferable” skills will you gain?

If you were a research scientist, how would youselect an undergrad researcher?

# keen to ask -- or learn how to ask -- scientific questionsin a research environment.

# eager to learn to communicate his/her science with others-- through discussions, presentations and writing.

# open minded: i.e. motivated to explore research deeply.

MCB professors say that students who are ready for

research are…

# excited about his/her science.

# at least two semesters for research?

# at least 10 hours/week (typically in 3 - 4 hour time

periods) for lab work?

# enough time to handle both classes and research?

# a commitment to my research?

# a sound academic base to support a research endeavor?

(Read “Enrollment Procedures - MCB 290, MCB 492”)http://www.mcb.uiuc.edu/academics/undergrad/research.html )

First, some practical questions: Do I have…

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The MCB 290 Research Experience

April 8, 2009 217 Noyes Lab 5:00 - 6:00 pm

Eligible Majors:

$ Biological Sciences (undeclared)

$ MCB

$ MCB Honors

$ Biochemistry (BIOC290)

$ MCB 290: credit (up to 10 credit hours) + letter grade

$ Conducted in any mol/ cell/ physiol/ biochem research program

on campus

$ 1 credit hour = 5 hours/week in the lab

The MCB 290: Course credit for your research:

April 8, 2009 217 Noyes Lab 5:00 - 6:00 pm

Where to begin…when you’re not sure what you want:

Step 1: Find the research areas that interest you.

Step 2: Contact the research professors working in

your areas of interest.

Step 3: Plan for your research “interview”.

Step 4: Make the most of your research opportunity!

# Make a list of your areas of scientific interest(refer to MCB research interest webpage)

# Take the links to MCB faculty websites (seehandout for suggested colleges, schools anddepartments outside of MCB too) and read:

• Descriptions of faculty research

• Recently published abstracts/ papers forthose of interest.

# List the faculty research programs that interestyou (tip: make the list as long as you can!). Findemail addresses on their webpage.

Where to begin…when you’re not sure what you want:

Step 1: Find the research areas that interest you:

# Send a separate email letter of inquiry to eachprofessor, containing:

a. Your profile information: e.g. semester(s)requested, previous lab experience, year, major,science+math courses taken or in progress

b. Description of your current goals

c. Justification for your interest in research(especially theirs!)

# Follow up emails: Use to express thanks or continuedinterest, set up an interview with a professor, provideadditional info, etc.

Step 2: Get in touch with the research faculty on yourlist:

Successful searches are always the result of the student!sinitiative…PERSIST and BE FLEXIBLE

# Think ahead: Plan to talk about what you would like togain from a research opportunity.

# Listen carefully: Understand the nature of the work,the working relationships and the expectations s/hehave for undergrads in the lab. Ensure that you acceptan offer that seems to be a good fit for YOU.

Step 3: Plan for your research “interview” with a professor:

Students who think about their goals are compellingcandidates for research positions…

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# Be well: Find a sustainable balance between classes,research and all other that will allow you to thrive!

# Do good work: Be reliable, be careful, be engaged, besafe.

# Keep in touch: Assess your lab experience frequently-- adjust to align with your goals. When in doubt,communicate!

Step 4: Make the most of your research opportunity!

“Be well, do good work and keep in touch” … (g. keillor)

# For All: Eliminates paperwork and cross-campus hikes.

Let the MCB 290 Profile Database do some work for you:

" Who uses it?

" What does it do?

# For YOU: Advertises complete info about yourself to the MCB

professors; Makes the registration process easy!

# For MCB professors: Provides quick access to your information -- all

in one place; Easy filing of MCB 290 “paperwork” too.

# For MCB Instructional Program: Documents the level of student

interest and success in research searches -- and forms the basis for program

developments.

Take advantage of the MCB 290 Profile

Database if you are…

# currently IN the Biological Sciences, MCB, MCB Honors,

or Biochemistry Specialized Curriculum.

AND

# are looking for research in a MCB research lab.

(Professors outside of MCB do not have access to the

profile database yet.)

April 8, 2009 217 Noyes Lab 5:00 - 6:00 pm

The MCB 290 Profile Database:

A TUTORIAL

Access the MCB290 application:

http://www.mcb.uiuc.edu/undergrad/research.html

Filling in the MCB 290 Profile:

Your personal/ contact info…

Major

GPA

Current major

List ALL MCB, PHYS,

CHEM and MATH courses

including:

• In progress

• AP

• Transferred coursesCheck this information for accuracy!

Filling out your MCB 290 Profile:

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Give some careful thought to your personal statement:

• Articulate the importance of research to your goals

• Draft this first in a program like Word (for copy/paste later)

• Ask someone to read it through the eyes of a professor

• Remember -- there IS a point of “diminishing returns” on length!

Filling out your MCB 290 Profile:

1. Ensure that your facts are CORRECT:

# CURRENT major

# MAJOR GPA (Biol + Chem + Phys + Math)

# All MCB, CHEM, PHYS, MATH courses taken or

in progress (include IP, AP and transferredcourses)

2. Write a meaningful PERSONAL STATEMENT in the

text boxes

MCB 290 Profile: KEY CHECKS to make before you submit

Step 1: Submit your electronic profile(http://www.mcb.uiuc.edu/undergrad/research.html)

Step 2: Contact MCB professors to ask about research positions.

Provide the link to your profile in your emails! All MCB faculty canreview your profile in the database for 6 months.

Step 3: Meet with MCB professors; Discuss and agree upon a

study; “File” the MCB 290 project description electronically.

Step 4: Obtain the CRN of your professor via automatic email;

Register for MCB 290 credit as agreed upon.

Questions about the MCB 290 Profile Database…

# Can I find a lab without using the profile database? Yes

# Are there any deadlines for submitting my profile? No

# What if I want to change my profile after it!s approved?

You must wait 6 months -- but you can provide updated information in youremails to the professors.

# What happens to my profile after 6 months?

It becomes inactive -- Submit a new one to remain active in the system.

Questions about the MCB 290 Profile Database…

# Once I submit my profile do I wait to be contacted by a professor?

No, your success in finding a lab rests on your initiative to contact theprofessors yourself!

#Can professors outside of the School of MCB access my profile?Not at this time.

# Can I use the on line profile for every semester I enroll in MCB 290 in the

same lab?

Yes, your professor can access your project description and renew it for asubsequent semester.

April 8, 2009 217 Noyes Lab 5:00 - 6:00 pm

• Integrative Biology

• Physics Dept

• Chemistry Dept

• Food Science and

Human Nutrition

• Vet Medicine

• Psychology

• Bioengineering

• Kinesiology

You can find aresearch opportunityoutside of MCB too…

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Searching for a lab outside of MCB:

College of LAS

# School of Integrative Biology (Plant Biology,

Animal Biology, Entomology)

# Psychology Department

# Chemistry Department (e.g. Chemical Biology)

College of ACES

# Crop Sciences

# Animal Sciences

# Food Science and Human Nutrition

College of Applied Health Sciences

# Kinesiology

# Community Health

College of Veterinary Medicine

College of Engineering

Institutes and Multidisciplinary Research

Centers

How do I find and file for MCB 290 research

outside of MCB?

Contact the research professors in those departments

and schools individually by email, providing

information similar to the MCB 290 profile:

1. Your “profile” information

2. The semester(s) of interest

3. Previous research experience

4. Personal Statement

April 8, 2009 217 Noyes Lab 5:00 - 6:00 pm

How do I enroll for MCB 290 if I don!t use the profile system?

Step 1: Download the MCB 290 application

(http://www.mcb.uiuc.edu/academics/undergrad/research.html#formsOR pick up the form in MCB Core Curriculum Office, 252 DavenportHall OR the MCB Advising Program, 127 Burrill Hall

Step 2: Ask your faculty mentor to complete and sign the form.

Step 3: File paperwork in 252 Davenport Hall and receivepermission/CRN to register for MCB 290 for the specified

semester.

Step 4: If the research program in which you plan to work isoutside of MCB, submit the completed form to Melissa Michael in252 Davenport Hall to confirm that the project is consistent with

MCB guidelines for MCB 290 (call 244-1975 for appointment).

And some final MCB 290 questions…

# What if I haven!t found a mentor and lab by the time I

need to register for the semester when I hoped to beginresearch?

Register for your classes, but reserve time in your M-Fschedule for research -- then continue to contactprofessors. You can enroll for MCB 290 credit after thenew term starts.

# Can I be paid and also earn MCB 290 credit for my

research?

No, you are allowed to receive either one or the other for aspecified project in a given period of time

More questions about:

1. MCB 290 Profile Database? Email:

[email protected] and see the MCB 290

webpage at:

http://www.mcb.uiuc.edu/undergrad/research.html

2. MCB 290 research/ summer research opportunities

and internship options?

Call the MCB Advising Program Office at 333-6774 to

make an appointment with the MCB Advisors and see:

http://www.mcb.uiuc.edu/undergrad/internships.html