Students at work in Microbio 551
Professor Paustian consulting with a student about their work.
Testing a DNA sample's quality using the nanodrop
Material ready for class
Students at work in Microbio 102
Reading tests in Micorbio 102
Students at work in Microbio 102

Research

A research experience in a laboratory is one of the best ways to explore and understand the field of science. You will meet the scientists that actually do the work and participate in cutting-edge research that changes people’s lives. We know that finding a research lab can be intimidating. This page hopes to demystify the process, help you feel more confident, and get you at the lab bench as soon as possible.

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How to find a mentor or lab

If you wish to do research in a lab as an undergraduate student, you must find a faculty member who is the head of a research lab doing research on topics that you find interesting and who wants you to join their lab. You may want to use a spreadsheet to develop a list of researchers who you want to contact, and to keep track of who you have contacted and when.

Think about what research topics might interest you. You can do research in any lab that fits your interests and has an opening, no matter the department it is in.

Here are some tips to get you started:

Do background research to become familiar with faculty and their areas of research.

  • Look at the Bacteriology Faculty (or faculty in any department) and see whose research interests you. Bacteriology faculty members love to work with Microbiology majors.
  • You may also want to consider reaching out to professors in other departments who might be using microbiological techniques (genetics, botany, entomology, oncology, med school, etc.) but who aren’t often approached by Microbiology students.
  • The Wisconsin Discovery Portal is a searchable directory of more than 3,000 researchers at UW–Madison. You can search by research interest, researcher’s name, keyword, or patent number.

Reach out to faculty you’re interested in working with to introduce yourself and share your interest in their lab.

  • When you prepare to reach out to researchers, be sure to learn about the work of each individual researcher that you contact. You should be able to demonstrate your genuine interest in being involved with their specific research. You do not need to be an expert on their work.
  • There is usually information about their research on their faculty page. Beyond the description listed on the faculty page, many laboratories will have their own website linked from the faculty page. These lab websites are a great source of information for you to learn about the lab and to see if it’s a good fit for you.
  • This process is similar to finding a job. Like finding a job, it also often takes some time and includes reaching out to multiple different researchers. Some labs may even ask for your resume, so have one handy.

Resources to help you look for research opportunities

  • The BioCommons research pages are dedicated to helping undergraduate students who are looking for guidance exploring research opportunities, finding a mentor, planning a project, and more.
  • WISCIENCE offers courses, workshops, peer mentors, videos, and other resources to help you find a mentor and learn more about the research process.
  • Introductory Biology, a two-semester, 10-credit course sequence intended for students majoring in the biological sciences, has excellent resources for students who want to find a research lab, including tips on writing a letter of inquiry to a professor, putting together a resume, and more. Find more info here and here.
  • The UW–Madison Writing Center may be able to help with your written communications so that your emails to faculty members are more likely to be answered. Your school or college’s Careers advising office may also be able to provide this type of assistance.
  • CALS Health and Research Society (CHARS) is a student organization that promotes and supports undergraduate engagement in research.
  • Some courses are also related to getting involved in research. Check out CHEM 260 and 261: Entering Research I and II, INTEGSCI 150: Exploring Research in STEM, and INTER-AG 288: Introductory CALS Honors Seminar.
  • There are also a few small programs that will match you with a research professor.
  • Some study abroad programs provide research opportunities, often during the summer. Some highlighted programs that may be related to microbiology are:
  • If you are interested in paid positions, then check out the student jobs website. These positions might be less interesting in the beginning, but they can be a good way to get started in a lab.
  • Local biotech companies may have summer internships.
  • You may want to attend a scientific seminar to learn more about a lab. Take notes and ask questions on the seminar.
  • Talk to your classmates, TA’s/grad students, and professors. Your classmates may have advice on how they found research. TA’s, grad students, and professors may have information about their labs or openings in labs.

Enrolling in research for credit

Students who join a lab on campus often enroll in course credit for their research in that lab, earning them a grade and degree credit for their work. These courses vary by department, often have course numbers ending in 99, and often have course titles like “Independent Study” and “Special Problems”.

Before you can enroll in one of these research courses, you must find a faculty member who is the head of a research lab and wants you to join their lab (see “Resources to help you find a mentor or lab” above).

Note: You need to enroll for credit every semester that you are doing research in the lab and wish to receive course credit for your research. 

If your mentor is in the Department of Bacteriology and you wish to enroll in MICROBIO 299 or 699:

  • Open the Independent Study Agreement Form in DocuSign. Fill in the name and emails of all necessary contacts (student, mentor, research professor). You may have to fill in your contact information twice.
  • Review and complete the Independent Study Agreement Form with your research professor and primary mentor.  You will select Microbiology 299 if you have fewer than 54 total credits, or Microbiology 699 if you have 54 or more credits.  Typically, 1 credit = 3-5 hours of research work per week.
  • Once completed, the form will automatically be sent to your mentor and PI for approval. Once approval is granted, you will receive course enrollment information located at the bottom of the Independent Study Form. The final copy will be sent to your wisc.edu email.
  • If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Biochemistry / Microbiology Undergraduate Advising Hub at biochemmicrobio-advisor@wisc.edu.

Independent Study Agreement Form

If your mentor is in a department that is NOT Microbiology:

  • Check the Guide page and/or website of that department for information on enrolling for research credit. You may even need to contact that department via email or phone.
  • Follow the instructions for that department to enroll in research for credit every semester that you are doing research in the lab.

If you are not sure what department your mentor is in:

  • Ask! Ask your faculty mentor, your post-doctoral mentor, your graduate student mentor, your lab manager, and other undergraduates working in the lab about how to enroll for research credit in your new lab. They may know about the process from working with other students or they’ll know who to ask next.
  • If they’re not sure, then look it up! In Course Search and Enroll use the “Keyword, instructor, number” field (below “Search for Courses”) and enter your faculty mentor’s last name. Look for course results with the numbers 299 or 699.  Identify the subject/department that offers 299 or 699 with your mentor as the instructor and contact that department to ask how to enroll.
  • If you still can’t find it, then email the Biochemistry / Microbiology Undergraduate Advising Hub (biochemmicrobio-advisor@wisc.edu). They may not know, but they may have more ideas of how to find out.
  • Then, follow the instructions for that department to enroll in research for credit every semester that you are doing research in the lab.

Senior thesis / senior honors thesis projects

A senior thesis gives you a chance to dive deeper into a research topic of interest. The thesis experience will help you develop your reading, research, and writing skills, and many students find this a rewarding experience in which to develop new skills through independent work.

To learn more about the awards and apply, visit the Senior Thesis page.