Undergraduate Research In STEM

Who can do research in the Biology Department? Students at any level are typically invited to participate in research within the biology department. Additionally, students who are majoring in something other than biology can still participate in research with biology faculty. Some research openings may require course and/or lab pre-requisites.

When do students do research in Biology? Research in biology is year-round! During the academic year, students can participate in research for an established number of hours, as determined through conversations with your faculty advisor. Research during the academic year typically results in credit through BIOL 394 registration. More full-time research experience can occur during summer break or winter break, when students can be hired as a student research partner (SRP). SRPs typically work 40 hours per week for up to 10 weeks during the summer break, or up to 4 weeks during the winter break. Students are compensated with an hourly wage for research hours during winter and summer breaks.

How do I apply? Biology faculty publicize their research with a lightning talk session that typically occurs during the first few weeks of the fall term. Research openings are often publicized through departmental emails. Students who are interested in receiving these departmental newsletters and research updates are encouraged to reach out to the biology administrative assistant, Peter Stone (pstone@carleton.edu). Each research opening will have specific information about what is required for application. This may involve filling out a short Google Form, or may involve meeting with faculty to discuss research interests. Please visit our Biology department research website for more information!

Who can do research in the Chemistry Department? Students with all levels of chemistry experience participate in student-faculty research. Most student researchers begin projects with faculty during the summer after sophomore or summer after junior year, after taking some introductory Chemistry courses.

When do students do research in Chemistry? The most focused research period is during summer break, when students can be hired as student research partners (SRPs) to work alongside faculty for full-time appointments of up to 10 weeks. Many students also engage in academic-year research through the CHEM 394: Chemistry Research course.

How do I apply? All students are invited to join an informational session at the beginning of winter term to learn more about faculty research projects. After this session, students apply for summer break SRP positions through a centralized process, with offers extended in late February or early March. Most academic-year research in the Chemistry Department is performed as part of the CHEM 394 course by students who are continuing summer projects, though some faculty accept new student researchers during the academic year. Please reach out to faculty individually if you are interested in this option.

For more information, please visit the Chemistry Research Opportunities page.

Who can do research in the Cognitive Science and Linguistics department? Students with all levels of CSLI experience participate in student-faculty research. Some projects may require having taken specific pre-requisite courses in the department.  Check with individual faculty as to the preparation they require.

When do students do research in Cognitive Science and Linguistics?  Many students also engage in research during the academic year through the course CGSC 394 Directed Research in Cognitive Science or LING 394 Directed Research in Linguistics.  Some faculty members in CSLI may have openings for students to work over the summer and/or winter break as SRP (Student Research Partners).  Often, these go to students who have worked previously in a faculty member’s lab group, but all students are encouraged to speak with faculty about SRP opportunities.

How do I apply? Most academic-year research in the CSLI department is performed as part of the CGSC 394 or LING 394 courses, and run by individual faculty.  Please reach out to faculty individually if you are interested in this option. Summer and winter break positions will be announced through the CGSC or LING majors or minors lists.

Who can do research in the Computer Science department? Students with all levels of CS experience may participate in student-faculty research. Some projects may require having taken specific pre-requisite courses in the department.

When do students do research in Computer Science? Most research opportunities take place during summer break, when students can be hired as student research partners (SRPs) to work alongside faculty for full-time appointments of up to 10 weeks. Many students also engage in research during the academic year through the course CS 394 Directed Research in Computer Science.

How do I apply? At the start of winter term, all CS faculty leading summer research projects for which they are hiring SRPs present these opportunities at an informational session open to all students. After this session, students apply for summer break SRP positions through a centralized process via the CS department website, with offers extended in late February or early March. Most academic-year research in the CS department is performed as part of the CS 394 course by students who are continuing or preparing for summer projects, though some faculty accept new student researchers during the academic year. Please reach out to faculty individually if you are interested in this option. More information is available on the Research in the CS department webpage.

What does geology research look like? Geology faculty at Carleton study a wide range of topics in the Earth Sciences including water, climate, energy, sustainability, tectonics, natural hazards, coastal marine environments, critical minerals, and the history of life on Earth. Student research with faculty could involve field work, laboratory work, and/or computer modeling. Projects may be local, regional, or international. Students can choose to apply for funding or academic credit for research activities. Travel, food, and housing costs are also typically covered for off-campus projects. Many students present their research at local or national conferences.

Who can do research in the Geology Department? Anyone can do research in the Geology Department! Many courses include embedded research experiences. All of our majors conduct an independent project for their senior capstone experience (comps). Some students, both majors and non-majors, conduct research in collaboration with a faculty member at Carleton or even with earth scientists at other institutions.

When do students do research in geology? Students working on independent research commonly do research activities during the summers following their sophomore or junior year. Sometimes opportunities arise for students to conduct research during winter break or during the academic terms. Some academic-year research requires registration in GEOL 294/394 (Directed Research) in collaboration with a faculty member.

How do I apply? The Geology Department hosts several meetings throughout the year to facilitate discussion about student research opportunities and comps. Join the Geology Department mailing list or reach out to any of the Geology faculty to learn more about available opportunities.

Who can do research in the Mathematics and Statistics department? Students with all levels of experience may participate in student-faculty research. Each project will have its own set of pre-requisite courses, but there are opportunities at a variety of levels.

When do students do research in Mathematics and Statistics? Most research opportunities take place during summer break. Students work with their faculty mentors on the project for up to 10 weeks. There are a few faculty members who run research projects during the academic year or during winter break.

How do I apply? The Mathematics and Statistics department has a common application for summer research opportunities, which we announce on the math-stat interest email list and the MAST Messenger (our biweekly newsletter). We also host a Summer Research Opportunities page with the common application. For research during the term, students should keep an eye out on the math-stat interest email list for application announcements, or you can approach individual faculty with your interest.

Who can do research in Neuroscience? Students at any level are typically invited to participate in research within neuroscience. Additionally, students who are majoring in something other than psychology and/or biology can still participate in research with neuroscience-affiliated faculty. Some research openings may require course and/or lab pre-requisites.

When do students do research in Neuroscience? Research in Neuroscience occurs during the academic year with some faculty hiring students during summer and winter break. During the academic year, students can participate in research for an established number of hours, as determined through conversations with your faculty advisor and research mentor. Research during the academic year typically results in credit through PSYC 394, BIO 394 or, NEUR 394 registration. If students complete at least 6 credits of 394 these courses can count as an upper-level elective for the psychology major or neuroscience minor. There are other possibilities for research with faculty through Independent Study courses (e.g. Psyc 291 or Psyc391) and faculty may have work-study positions to help with research. Additionally, some faculty members may offer a full time research experience during summer or winter break, when students can be hired as a student research partner (SRP). SRPs work up to 40 hours per week for up to 10 weeks during summer break, or up to 3 weeks during winter break. Students are compensated with an hourly wage for research hours during winter and summer breaks.

How do I apply? Research openings occur throughout the year, with some laboratories interviewing and recruiting students during specific terms while others recruit year-round. These opportunities are typically publicized through departmental emails or lighting talks (from the psychology or biology department). Each research opening will have specific information about what is required for the application. This may involve filling out a short Google Form or may involve meeting with faculty to discuss research interests.
Please visit the neuroscience research website for more information!

Who can do research in the Physics & Astronomy Department? Students at any level can participate in research within the Physics & Astronomy department. Additionally, students who are majoring in something other than physics can still participate in research with physics and astronomy faculty. Some research openings may require particular experience or curricular pre-requisites.

When do students do research in Physics and Astronomy? Research in physics and astronomy is year-round! During the academic year, students can participate in research for an established number of hours, as determined through conversations with your faculty advisor. Research during the academic year typically results in credit through PHYS or ASTR 394 registration. More full-time research experience can occur during summer break or winter break, when students can be hired as a student research partner (SRP). SRPs typically work 40 hours per week for up to 10 weeks during the summer break, or up to 4 weeks during the winter break. Students are compensated with an hourly wage for research hours during winter and summer breaks.

How do I apply? Research openings can occur throughout the year; these positions and relevant meetings or application solicitations are mainly advertised in our Radiations newsletters (sign up by emailing Trenne Fields here). Check out our Physics and Astronomy department research website here for more information, and reach out to any of the faculty to learn more about available opportunities.

Who can do research in the Psychology Department? Students at any level are typically invited to participate in research within the psychology department. Additionally, students who are majoring in something other than psychology can still participate in research with psychology faculty. Some research openings may require course and/or lab pre-requisites.

When do students do research in Psychology? Research in Psychology occurs during the academic year with some faculty hiring students during summer and winter break. During the academic year, students can participate in research for an established number of hours, as determined through conversations with your faculty advisor and research mentor. Research during the academic year typically results in credit through PSYC 394 registration. If students complete at least 6 credits of 394, this course can count as an upper-level elective for the psychology major and neuroscience minor. There are other possibilities for research with faculty through Independent Study courses (e.g. Psyc 291 or Psyc391) and faculty may have work-study positions to help with research. Additionally, some faculty members may offer a full-time research experience during summer or winter break, when students can be hired as a student research partner (SRP). SRPs may work up to 40 hours per week for up to 10 weeks during summer break, or up to 3 weeks during winter break. Students are compensated with an hourly wage for research hours during winter and summer breaks.

How do I apply? Research openings occur throughout the year, with some laboratories interviewing and recruiting students during specific terms while others recruit year-round. These opportunities are typically publicized through departmental emails or lightning talks. Each research opening will have specific information about what is required for their application. This may involve filling out a short Google Form, or may involve meeting with faculty to discuss research interests. Please visit our Psychology department website for more information!

The Office of Student Fellowships is a good place to look for opportunities outside of Carleton. Follow the link to find out more information about fellowship opportunities.

Students can also find internship opportunities through the Career Center. Follow the link to find out more information about internship opportunities.