STUDENT HANDBOOK FOR UNDERGRADUATE ... - Projects at …

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Student Handbook for

Undergraduates in the Life Sciences

STUDENT HANDBOOK FOR UNDERGRADUATE

SCIENCE RESEARCH

Ann Georgi1 and Tom Torello1,2

Edited by Anna Babakhanyan1 and Margaret Lynch1

SCIENCES EDUCATION OFFICE

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

2017

1. Life Sciences Education Office

2. Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology

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? 2010 President and Fellows of Harvard College.

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any way without the express written

permission of the Harvard University Faculty of Arts and Sciences Education Office.

Office of Life Science Education

Harvard University

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

16 Divinity Avenue

Cambridge, MA 02138

Phone: (617) 495-9374



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Table of Contents

Why Do Research as an Undergraduate? ................................................................................ 5

What is the intrinsic value of research to an undergraduate experience?.........................................5

Are there ways to ¡°try out¡± research before committing to a lab? ...................................................6

When is the best time to get started in a lab? .................................................................................6

How do I find a research position? ......................................................................................... 8

How do I begin? .............................................................................................................................8

Can I choose a lab if I don¡¯t yet know my concentration? ................................................................9

How do I contact faculty about a research position? .......................................................................9

How should I prepare for an interview with a lab? ........................................................................ 10

If I receive offers from more than one lab, how do I decide among them? How do I decline offers

from other labs? .......................................................................................................................... 11

What to expect when you start in a laboratory? ................................................................... 13

Meeting with your lab mentor...................................................................................................... 13

Laboratory rules and regulations .................................................................................................. 14

Starting on your own research project .......................................................................................... 15

What are a student¡¯s responsibilities to the lab? .................................................................. 17

Lab citizenship and effort ............................................................................................................. 17

Time commitment ....................................................................................................................... 18

Funding for undergraduate research .................................................................................... 20

Term time funding ....................................................................................................................... 20

Summer fellowships..................................................................................................................... 21

Funding for research done away from Harvard ............................................................................. 24

When problems arise ........................................................................................................... 25

Communications breakdown ........................................................................................................ 25

Project problems ......................................................................................................................... 25

Your research interests have changed or the lab is no longer a good fit ......................................... 26

Your mentor leaves and there is no one to guide you .................................................................... 27

Your work does not meet expectations......................................................................................... 27

FAQs ................................................................................................................................... 29

Who do I contact for additional research advising? ....................................................................... 29

What are different science concentrations and how do I contact concentration advisors? ............. 29

How can I get academic credit for my research?............................................................................ 29

Do I have to stay with one lab while I am an undergrad? ............................................................... 29

Is it better to work in an FAS lab in Cambridge or at the Medical School and affiliated hospitals?... 30

Can I take a summer off from my Harvard lab to do something else? ............................................. 31

Where can I find information about summer research funding? .................................................... 32

Is laboratory research required for admission to medical school? .................................................. 32

What is the greatest difference between basic and clinical research? ............................................ 32

What are departmental requirements for credit for independent research? .................................. 32

Experimental Research Courses .................................................................................................... 33

How can I find summer housing information? ............................................................................... 33

What are the Harvard student research or science associations? ................................................... 34

How can I find out more information about student employment? ............................................... 34

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Where can I obtain more information about Pre-Med requirements and advising? ........................ 34

Where can I present my research? ................................................................................................ 34

Resources ............................................................................................................................ 35

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