Opportunities
On-campus research opportunities
Many faculty have positions (paid and volunteer) for undergraduate researchers in their labs! One of the best ways to get involved is to talk to professors in classes that you enjoy. You can also ask your advisor for suggestions finding opportunities.
Monarchs Maximizing Access to Research Careers (M-MARC): This NIH-funded program is geared toward training students toward success in graduate school and is geared toward majors in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Computer Science and Psychology.
Research for Undergraduates in Math and Science (RUMS): Part of ODU Biology’s Tick Team, students apply their knowledge of biology and math to solve problems in tick ecology.
Partnerships in International Research and Education (PIRE): This international partnership uses a multidisciplinary approach to explore marine biodiversity.
Students involved in a one-on-one research experience or one of these programs can be paid for their work or earn credits toward graduation:
- BIOL 487, 488W, 497, 498
- CHEM 490, 497, 498, 499
- CS 497
- MATH 494
- OEAS 487, 488, 497
- PHYS 489W, 490W, 497, 499W
- PSYC 487, 488, 489, 490, 497, 498
- STAT 460, 496
- HNRS 226, 326
Internships
An internship may be a better fit for your career path. ODU Career Development Services lists opportunities for students to choose from. You can also ask your advisor if an internship is right for you.
Course-based research options
Many departments have freshman level courses that give you a taste of research life. Some of these courses also satisfy the information literacy (“G” course) requirements, even if they are not labeled with a “G”.
BIOL 139N: The ODU Tick Lab hosts this freshman experience that introduces students to the process of real-world applications of the scientific methods from the perspective of ticks and tick-borne disease.
CHEM 125: This course replaces the second semester of General Chemistry lab for chemistry majors. Students complete their information literacy requirement and spend part of the semester doing real chemistry in a faculty member’s research lab.
Off-campus research opportunities
Universities across the country offer Research Experiences for Undergraduate (REU) programs funded by the National Science Foundation. Follow this link to search for opportunities in your major. REU programs are typically 10 weeks during the summer with a generous stipend with on-campus housing and other amenities included.
Participating in an REU program is an excellent way to experience research life in another university setting, network with your peers from across the country, and gain skills to ready you for graduate school.
ODU hosts several REU Sites, but these slots are typically reserved for non-ODU students.
