University of Michigan-Flint

Freshman year: Use your class experience to gain basic knowledge that could be applied to a research project. Most research projects will require knowledge and skills you gain from a variety of courses, not just those related to your major. Take the time to look into some of the research being conducted by your professors. Determine which research projects interest you. Express your interest to faculty.

Sophomore year: Start looking at research opportunities in your field of interest. Take more courses being offered by the professor whose research interests you the most. Familiarize yourself with their work. Talk with faculty members about the possibility of doing a research project. Consider doing research projects during the Spring and/or Summer semesters. These assistantships may carry over into the Fall and Winter semesters.

Junior year: Participate in UROP as a research assistant, working during multiple semesters if possible. If you are working on an independent research project (as opposed to working on a faculty-led project), start applying for Office of Research funding for undergraduate students. Whether you're doing research as a UROP student or doing research independently, present your work at Meeting of Minds and/or the UM-Flint Student Research Conference. Consider taking additional courses that will assist in your area of research.

Senior year: Continue on the same or a new project; through UROP or independently. Continue applying for Office of Research funding for undergraduate students if you are doing independent research. Present your work at Meeting of Minds and/or the UM-Flint Student Research Conference.. Use your research project as experience when you apply for employment or graduate school.

First year: Use your class experience to gain basic knowledge that could be applied to a research project. Most research projects will require knowledge and skills you gain from a variety of courses, not just those related to your major. Take the time to look into some of the research being conducted by your professors. Determine which research projects interest you. Express your interest to faculty.

Second year and beyond: Start to identify a faculty sponsor. Familiarize yourself with their work. Talk with faculty members about the possibility of doing a research project. Apply for a Graduate Student Research Assistantship or any other research opportunities in your field of interest. Start applying for Office of Research funding for graduate students. Present your work at professional conferences like the UM-Flint Student Research Conference. Consider submitting your research to various publications; possibly co-authoring with other graduate students, faculty, and other researchers.