There are many ways to gain research experience while doing your undergraduate studies in Biology. You can gain a lot of transferable skills through working in a research setting. You can receive course credit, try a 40hr micro-research experience, apply for research grant/scholarships to work over summer. Read more below.
Courses
- BIOL448- Directed Studies project
- 3 or 6 credits of Directed Studies
- You will have to find a lab and a supervisor who is willing to supervise your project
- For more information: https://www.biology.ubc.ca/biol-448-directed-studies/
- BIOL449- Honours thesis project:
- BIOL347 and 447: courses you have to take while doing your Honours
- For more information: https://www.biology.ubc.ca/biol-449-honours-thesis-information/
Mentorship and micro-research experience
- Biology Undergraduate Diversity in Research (BUDR) project provides a mentoring and also a 40hr micro-research experience for undergraduates in the Biology Program!
- See their website for more details: https://zoology-budr-2022.sites.olt.ubc.ca/
Biodiversity Research Centre (BRC) Undergraduate Diversity Research Grants Program
- Second year or above undergraduate students who self-identify as BIPOC can apply for these research grants that can be used for summer research with a lab group in the BRC
- https://biodiversity.ubc.ca/training-and-award-opportunities/brc-undergraduate-diversity-research-grants-program
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA)
- Deadline typically in February
- See Zoology (link) or Botany (link) website for details on their internal deadlines for applications
- https://students.ubc.ca/career/ubc-experiences/nserc-undergraduate-student-research-awards
Science Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Awards
- Deadline typically in February
- Available for summer sessions only and award holders must be appointed for at least 8 weeks.
- https://zoology.ubc.ca/undergraduate-program/undergraduate-research-opportunities
Work Learn International Undergraduate Research Awards (WLIURA)
- Two ways of applying, either look for available projects on UBC CareersOnline (postings usually available around March), or watch for internal application deadline with Dept of Zoology and Botany
- https://students.ubc.ca/career/campus-experiences/undergraduate-research/work-learn-international-undergraduate-research-awards