Undergraduate Research

Human Biology, Health & Society (HBHS)
Nutrition, Food & Agriculture (NFA)
Nutritional Sciences (NS)

A variety of opportunities exist for undergraduates to become involved in research in the Division of Nutritional Sciences.

NS 401, Empirical Research

Students identify the kind of research they are interested in pursuing and contact faculty members with relevant types of research to see if and how they may become involved in a project. The student and faculty member complete a special studies form (obtained in either 309 MVR Hall or the registrar of the College of Human Ecology) that outlines the agreement between the faculty member and the student. The form is signed by the student, the faculty member, and the Assistant Director for Academic Affairs in DNS

Student Employment

A few opportunities may exist for students to assist with a research project as an employee during the academic year and/or summer. The number and nature of the opportunities vary. To identify such opportunities, students may contact faculty members directly.

Honors Program

Students with very strong academic records are invited to apply to the honors program the fall of the junior year. This structured research experience is for students who are highly interested in research and willing to commit substantial time and intellectual energy to a project that will span four semesters.

Process for Exploring Research Opportunities:

To find out about the types of research being conducted in the Division investigate the Division's faculty webpages. Your method of selecting faculty members may include the type of research methods you wish to learn about (e.g., social science methods or lab methods) or the problem you wish to investigate (e.g., infant nutrition or lipid metabolism). Your faculty adviser will help you identify appropriate faculty to contact. Once you've identified those faculty with whom you wish to speak please keep the following suggestions in mind:

• Speak to faculty members at least a semester in advance of the time when you would like to get a research experience.
• Make an appointment to see a faculty member by speaking with his/her secretary, signing up for office hours, sending an e-mail message, or another method.
• Before meeting, prepare a copy of the application for undergraduate research (available in 309 MVR) or bring a copy of your resume to give the faculty member.
• Be prepared to discuss why you are interested in research, how much time per semester and/or how many semesters you wish to be involved in research, and previous work and research-related experiences.
• Ask the faculty member about their current/future research projects and their expectations for undergraduates who work with them in research. The extent to which a faculty member can involve students in his/her research program will vary according to the size and scope of various projects, the faculty member's other commitments, and the skills/abilities of individual students.

Be prepared, but do not be scared to ask faculty members about research. All faculty members were undergraduates at some time, and many of them arranged their first research experience through this process. Faculty members like to talk about their research!

Assistance with Statistics:

Students doing research projects are encouraged to seek assistance with statistical design and analysis from the Office of Statistical Consulting, located in the basement of Savage Hall. You may contact either: Francoise Vermeylen, Karen Grace-Martin or Simona Despa. You may also take advantage of the walk-in consulting hours daily from 1:30-2:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

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Webmaster Gail Canterbury
Updated July 6, 2004