Undergraduate Research

Cornell engineering students work alongside professional researchers to make new discoveries.
Office of Inclusive Excellence
Undergraduate Student Inhae Lee presents her research at a poster session
Page Contents
Undergrad sodering circuit board

Why Should I Get Involved in Undergraduate Research?

  • Apply what you learn

    Apply what you learn in the classroom to real-life situations

  • Develop skills

    Practice and develop skills in teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and creativity

  • Build a network

    Build a mentoring network and close relationships with world-renowned professors and researchers

  • Prepare for industry

    Gain technical skills that prepare you for careers in industry

  • Become a competitive applicant

    Learn the scientific process and become a competitive applicant for graduate school

  • Explore careers

    Explore if a career in research is right for you

Cornell undergraduates research quantum dots, wave converters, and lithium extraction.

Reflection: Am I Ready for Research?

Before beginning your research journey, take a few moments to consider the questions below to determine if you are ready to get started in research.

  • Have you completed at least one semester at Cornell?
  • Are you comfortable with your academic load and confident that adding an additional responsibility will not significantly impact your academic performance?
  • Do you have six to 10 hours available during the work week in at least two-hour time blocks between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.?
  • Are you able to commit to a consistent, weekly schedule for at least one semester?
  • Are you excited to do research?

If the answer to each of these questions is, “Yes,” then it may be a good time to get started.

An undergraduate researcher works in the lab

Questions to Ask As You Explore Research Opportunities

Before you can find and secure a research position that will provide you with the skills and experiences you need, you must figure out: what do you want to gain from doing research? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you to focus your search as you look for research groups to join, prepare to approach faculty research mentors, and answer questions when you interview with faculty or research groups.

Writing or speaking out loud are effective ways to turn nebulous ideas into concrete thoughts. Write down or speak your answers to the questions below.

  • Why do you want to do research?

    • Do you expect research to prepare you for a particular career path or is it part of your exploration?
    • What are three to six skills you want to gain or improve in during your research experience? Think broadly! Consider engineering or scientific skills, communication, teamwork, leadership.
    • Are there technical skills you would like to learn?
    • Are there specific topics or areas of study that you are interested in exploring? Thinking about your favorite ideas from courses can be a good way to start.

  • Are you interested in applied or basic research?

    • Applied research has immediate implications for the world we live in. Applied research can be right for you if you need to know why a topic is useful in order for you to be interested in learning about it.
    • Basic research may or may not have applications. If it does have applications, they may be either in the short term or very distant future. Basic research may be right for you if you are interested in learning about a topic for the sake of expanding your knowledge or deepening our understanding of the world.

Consider Research Logistics

  • How are you interested in being compensated for your research?

    • Pay
    • Course credit (and consider graded or S/U)
    • Volunteering

  • Are you able to commit an appropriate amount of time to get involved in research?

    • How many hours do you want to commit to research each week?
    • Do you have blocks of time available? If so, for how many hours and when?
    • Are you able to commit to a lab for an entire semester (before you decide to continue or not)?

     

Learn More About Undergraduate Research

  • Cornell University Undergraduate Research

    Besides the resources here, we recommend visiting Cornell University Office of Undergraduate Research for an overview of undergraduate research at Cornell and guidance on how to get started.

  • Career Development Toolkit: Research Module

    If you are an enrolled student, be sure to visit the Research Module within the Career Development Toolkit as well. To access the Toolkit, you can self-enroll. If you are already enrolled and want to dive in, jump to the course. In Canvas you can also go to Courses > All Courses > Browse More Courses to search for the Toolkit.

Additional Resources

Undergraduate Research Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I get started with undergraduate research?

    Check out our guidance, tips, and resources for getting started in research. You will find information on:

    • Reflecting on your readiness for research and what you are looking for in a research experience
    • Identifying your fields of interest and research opportunities
    • Contacting potential mentors or programs
    • Meeting with potential mentors to determine if the experience is right for you. How do I find a research mentor?

  • How do I find a research mentor?

    While this may seem like the first step in your Undergraduate Research endeavors, getting started with research is a more nuanced process than just finding a mentor. Most importantly you should begin with self exploration, then find opportunities and take action contacting or applying for positions or programs. We outline these steps in detail, which include appropriate ways to communicate with potential faculty mentors. If you would like a one-on-one conversation about getting started in undergraduate research, we encourage you to meet with an academic advisor in your college after reviewing resources available on our website.

  • Can research for credit count towards my graduation requirements?

    In Cornell Engineering, this varies by major. You may be able to use research credits towards your Advisor-approved or Major-approved Electives.  Check with your major to learn more – the Undergraduate Coordinator, Director of Undergraduate Studies, and your Faculty Advisor are fantastic resources.

  • How can research experience help me if I am looking for a career in industry?

    The skills you develop as an undergraduate researcher are applicable to work in industry, whether or not your role is directly related to research. Undergraduate researchers can work on teams, problem-solve, practice creativity, develop their communication skills, and more. Consider what skills you would like to work on and work with your research mentors to find ways to practice them in your role as a researcher. In addition, your research mentors can serve as references or write letters of recommendation when you apply for jobs.

  • Do undergraduate research credits count towards full time student status and the semester credit limit?

    Yes. Enrolled research credits count toward the full-time standing at Cornell and towards the Cornell Engineering credit limit.  Research credits may not, however, count toward good standing, depending on your major or whether or not you are unaffiliated with a major.  You can petition to take over the 20 credit limit.

  • How should I be compensated for research? Should I volunteer, receive credit, or be paid?

    The decision to conduct research as a volunteer, for credit, or for pay is a personal decision, and the benefits of each depend on your needs. Read more about research for credit, pay, or volunteering  and decide what is best for you.

  • Can I use Federal Work Study (FWS) to be paid for undergraduate research?

    Yes. Students that are eligible for FWS and are being paid to conduct research can apply FWS funding to their research position during the academic year or the summer. Contact the financial aid office to learn more.

  • Can I get feedback on a draft email to a potential faculty mentor?

    Yes. Cornell Engineering student services offices, undergraduate coordinators within your major, faculty advisors, professors, TAs, and current undergraduate researchers are great sources of feedback. You can schedule an appointment with an Engineering Academic Advisor or the Engineering Career Center on Chatter.

  • What do I do if I have a conflict or other challenge during my research experience?

    If you are comfortable, it can be best to talk to the person with whom you are experiencing the conflict and work together to come to an understanding or solution. If you would like support in working through a research-related conflict, the following are excellent resources: