You can do research. Yes, you.
Whether you're thinking about grad school or your first career job, consider doing some mentored research while you're here.
Why?
Having research work on your resume says that you're motivated, smart, and have the hunger to learn. It can teach you skills you'll never learn in a classroom. And it can open up opportunities you have might have missed otherwise.
Good news
You don't have to be a science major. Faculty mentors accept students into their research teams in almost every area of study we offer.
WSU students are doing faculty-mentored research in history, art, communication, business, English, etc., as well as science-related fields like biology, engineering, or physics.
More good news
The Office of Undergraduate Research is dedicated entirely to connecting you with faculty mentors and helping you find opportunities to do research.
Got an idea that no one's working on right now? Interested in a subject and wondering if someone at WSU is researching it? The Office of Undergraduate Research can help you find a faculty mentor and figure out how to pursue it.How to find your research gig
First of all, think of something you're interested in. You don't have to major in it—you just need to be really interested in spending some serious time on the subject.
Next:
- Check out the getting started page on the undergraduate research site for tips on what you should do and what to expect.
- Browse the rest of the undergraduate research site, especially the opportunities, programs, and funding sections. You could find a ready-made opportunity there.
- Ask. Find a professor who teaches the subject you're interested in and visit him or her during office hours (or send a politely worded email). Tell your prof what your interests are, and that you'd like to get involved in research. It's not as intimidating as you might think; professors love talking to students who are interested in what they teach.
- Take a long-term view. You may not find something you can get into right away—and that's okay. You've got four years to work with. Do well in your classes, talk to your professors whenever you can, and plan ahead. That way, when a good opportunity comes up, you'll be right there to meet it.
A sweet opportunity for science majors
The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at WSU provides students the opportunity to spend a summer doing research with WSU faculty on cutting-edge, NSA-funded projects.
Some of the REU sites at WSU include:
Astrophysics
Follow in Einstein's footsteps and explore the nature of the universe.
Materials and Optical Physics
Push the limits of nonlinear optics and revolutionize the speed of information.
Regional atmospheric chemistry
The Mobile Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratory, invented at WSU, advances the science of predicting air quality and tracking climate change.
Novel States of Matter
Explore a branch of physics where normal doesn't apply.