Students interested in independent research for credit must find a faculty research mentor and submit an electronic tutorial form (Advanced Research Seminar, Undergraduate, 423 or 424) using the drop/add system in their portal. Based on discussions with the faculty research mentor, students may sign up for 0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 credits. The 0.25 credit option encompasses students who are attending lab meeting but not conducting research while students enrolling for 1.0 credit are expected to dedicate a set block of time per week to their research project, which includes attendance in weekly group meetings and reading and discussion of current literature with group members, in addition to planning and performing experiments. Students will discuss specific expectations with their research mentor.

Research in Sciences (RISE)

Each summer, the CIS runs a summer research program across the sciences that hosts more than 100 Wesleyan undergraduates.  In addition to faculty mentored research, we offer a weekly seminar series, skills workshops, and the summer culminates with a poster session with presentations of researchby all students. Financial support is available for Research in Science by students enrolled at Wesleyan. Read more about this program and apply here.

South Asian Research Opportunities Summer Program

Students selected as South Asian Scholars must be academically interested in studying in South Asia.  A selection committee scores applications to evaluate the depth of scientific knowledge and interest in performing research in South Asia. We anticipate selecting three South Asian Scholars this year. Read more about this program and apply here.

College of the Environment Summer Fellowships

The College of the Environment (COE) Fellowship Program allows current Wesleyan undergraduate students to undertake research on environmental topics under the guidance of a faculty mentor during summer or fall or spring semesters. The projects must relate to any of the broad themes covered by Environmental Studies and the College of the Environment. The scope of environmental topics is intended to be interpreted broadly; research may be undertaken using techniques, approaches, and paradigms from all majors or major programs. Fellowships are available to all current Wesleyan undergraduate students, regardless of class year or major and may be undertaken at Wesleyan or off-campus. Students must be current Wesleyan undergraduate students for the duration of their fellowship. Read more about this program and apply here.

Quantitative Analysis Center Summer Apprenticeship

Every spring semester, a week after the end of the add/drop period, a request for proposals (RFP) is sent to the faculty inviting project proposals where the faculty name the students they would like to sponsor.  The expectation is that nominated students will have at least an introductory course where they used appropriate tools for the project (e.g. statistical analysis, programming, GIS etc.) Typically, the deadline for submitting a proposal is the beginning of the spring break. Following a review by the QAC Advisory Board the Center provides funding for the selected ones. Interested students should explore the apprenticeship research opportunities with faculty whose research matches their interests. Read more about this program here. 

Gordon Career Center

Wesleyan Summer Grants provide up to $5,000 to fund summer opportunities such as internships, faculty-mentored research, volunteer work, field study, or an academic program related to your career interests and aspirations. Read more about this program and apply here.

Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Program

Wesleyan's McNair Program assists students from under-represented groups in preparing for, entering and progressing successfully through post-graduate education. McNair Fellows are afforded opportunities to conduct funded scholarly research and engage in intentional professional development and cohort building programming in order to have the experiences and hone the skills necessary for success in doctoral education. Read more about this program and apply here.

Wesleyan Math and Science Scholars (WesMaSS) 

WesMaSS is designed to support students with identities historically underrepresented in science and mathematics, and students selected as Scholars have a demonstrated interest in and commitment to pursuing a degree in these fields. WesMaSS begins the summer before students’ first year at Wesleyan. Current WesMaSS students are eligible to participate in the Research in Science summer program described above. Read more about this program here.

Research Frontiers in the Sciences

The Research Frontiers in the Sciences seminar course is designed to introduce students to the exciting and cutting-edge research activity at Wesleyan across all the sciences and mathematics, and to introduce faculty with active research labs to students interested in working in a lab. The course showcases what research at the college level entails, and which projects Wesleyan faculty are actively researching. CIS 221 is scheduled in the fall, CIS 222 in the spring. Both are gateway classes to admission into the CIS, but also recommended to students broadly interested in the sciences who have not yet decided on a major. There is no overlap in speakers between CIS 221 and CIS 222, and students may take both.

Research-a-Palooza

Research-a-Palooza is an annual student-run event sponsored by the College of Integrative Sciences. Any and all students interested in getting started with scientific research at Wesleyan, including through the CIS Research in Science Summer Program, are encouraged to attend. More information is available here.

NSM Departments

Many Wesleyan faculty have lab and/or research websites linked from their profiles. Faculty affiliated with CIS are listed here.

NSM departments, programs, and student clubs offer lab tours, discussion groups, and other events throughout the academic year. 

Wesleyan Student Chapters 

• American Chemical Society (ACS)
• American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) 
• Biophysical Society
• Psi Chi Honors Society
• Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
• Society of Physics Students (SPS)

Additional Resources

• Basal Gang
• coexist
• Free Radicals
• Inclusion in STEM
• Joe Webb People's Museum
• Women in Science

Wesleyan faculty welcome undergraduates into their labs. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with faculty research across NSM through seminars, publications, and courses. Once you have identified potential mentors, we advise reaching out to set up a meeting to discuss your interests.

Students new to research may first attend lab meetings before starting in the lab. You might also consider approaching current research students whom you could shadow or assist in the lab. 

Tips

• Think about your goals​
• Learn about the lab's research ahead of time​
• Pick at least 2-3 faculty to speak with personally​​
• Focus on what you can bring to the lab rather than what they can do for you
• Remember that different faculty have different criteria for taking students​
• Talk to your peers​

Dear Professor [Name], 

I am a [year] intending to major in [major] and I am interested in potentially doing research in your lab. I am especially interested in [research topic or process] as I hope to pursue [future interest]. Would it be possible to meet [example time, perhaps during their office hours] to discuss the options for joining your lab? I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,

[Name]

This template is a guideline. We encourage you to personalize your request:

• describe where you learned about their research
• describe your scientific background
• describe your scientific and/or career goals
• mention an interesting paper you read or lecture you heard
• include the student, faculty, or staff who suggested them as a potential mentor
• suggest ways you might start, for example by attending lab meetings
• indicate your interest in pursuing a summer fellowship or an honor's thesis
• ask about their expectations for lab work
• ask about scientfic equipment or processes they utilize