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Department of Botany
PO Box 118526
Gainesville FL 32611
Phone: (352) 392-1175
Fax: (352) 392-3993
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 Graduate Studies - Department of Botany
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Research Opportunities

Why you should participate in research as an undergraduate

All Botany majors are strongly encouraged to participate in research. Research experience is valuable on many levels: it diversifies your college experience; it teaches you how scientists apply the knowledge gained in the classroom to real world questions, it gives you the opportunity to work with and get to know researchers who are the best in their field, it introduces you to cutting edge scientific questions an techniques, it can enhance your resume/CV when applying to graduate or professional school, and finally it is essential in helping you determine if science is a good career choice for you.

Botany majors may participate in research for course credit, as a volunteer, as a Scholar (e.g., University Scholar, HHMI Science for Life Scholar, Beckman Scholar), or (in rare cases) as a paid research assistant. If you plan to enroll for course credit, you must contact potential research mentors before the end of the drop/add period.  If you miss the drop/add window, you are should still contact potential research mentors, if only to discuss upcoming opportunities.

How to find a Research Mentor

You should choose a project that you find intrinsically interesting. When you interview with a potential mentor, find out what you will do on a daily basis and how that applies to the bigger research questions being asked in the mentor's laboratory. Communicate your expectations of the experience, and ask the mentor whether these expectations can be met by joining his or her lab.  For example, if you want to learn how to work with DNA or if you want to do field research, make sure that is a part of the lab’s daily mission. Finally, determine the level of commitment that is expected of you by the lab so you can be sure that you can meet that commitment.

A college education offers you the chance to discover what interests you most and to learn how to make that into a career.  A research position can last a semester, or it can last for four years. While science is incredibly diverse, the basic principles of research are not.  With a few skills, and a solid understanding of the scientific method, you can progress in any number of directions.

The best advice to undergraduate students who want to find a research opportunity is to do your homework.

  • The very best way to find an opportunity is to figure out what you want to do, find the professors (or graduate students) on campus who are doing research in that area (the web is your friend: for example, you could see what you get if you search Google for parasite biology research site:ufl.edu), and get informed.

  • Read professors' web pages to find out the specifics of their research; professors, especially those who have lots of undergraduates in their lab, often post information about their openings and policies.

  • Read papers by the professors you're interested in -- you can either find citations on their web pages or find them, very easily, on the Web of Science.

  • Decide what you're interested in, and what you're willing to do. How much time do you want to commit? Do you want research credit (usually pretty easy), money (harder unless you bring unusual skills/experience or levels of commitment), or are you willing to work just for the experience?

  • Finally, once you've figured out which labs might have openings and which ones you might be interested in, e-mail the professors (don't phone them or drop by their labs) to find out whether you will fit in. Tell them what courses you've taken and what skills you have, and why you're interested in working in their lab. Don't be afraid to approach professors who are doing specific work you're interested in, even if they don't specifically say on their web pages that they're looking for students, but also don't be surprised if there isn't room in their labs at present. Be prepared to wait for what you want.

List of Currently Available Mentors

Specific Research Opportunities at UF

Undergraduate Research Programs at UF

  • What’s the difference between the various undergraduate research programs--Science for Life, Beckman Scholars, GATOR, and University Scholars Program?

  • The UF Science for Life program, funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. "This is the largest early undergraduate research program at UF and in the State of Florida.  The intramural program provides opportunities for students to engage in multi-year research projects starting the summer following their freshman year culminating in a second award for co-authorship in publications." A one-credit Science for Life course (IDH3931) is offered each fall and spring. This course is intended for freshmen and sophomores who are interested in research. For more information, please refer to the Science for Life syllabus.

  • UF-HHMI G.A.T.O.R. Program for Biomedical Science: This program brings together graduate students, freshmen, sophomores, and high school students who work together in research teams under the guidance of faculty advisors. As team leaders, graduate students gain experience in mentoring and project management, skills that will enhance their success as professional scientists and teachers. As team members, undergraduate and high school students learn about the process of scientific research and scholarship. By doing discovery science, they gain important lab skills along with knowledge of research design and presentation. In addition, the G.A.T.O.R program is designed to help students develop a personal network of mentors and colleagues who can help them develop their scientific careers.

  • University of Florida University Scholars Program. This highly competitive program provides undergraduates with the unique opportunity to work closely with UF faculty. Teamed with a faculty mentor, students pick their topic, conduct summer research, and complete their paper throughout the following academic year. All undergraduates are eligible. You may choose to work with a faculty member in a different college than your own major. Scholars receive a $2,500 stipend and $500 for travel to a scholarly conference to present the results of the research. In addition, scholars have the opportunity to publish their research in UF's online Journal of Undergraduate Research.

  • The Ronald McNair program, which helps prepare low income, first generation and/or minority undergraduates for graduate study -- includes a summer research component.

  • The Beckman Scholars Program "support[s] research ... by exceptionally talented undergraduate students ... in either chemistry, biochemistry, the biological and medical sciences". This is very competitive (GPA around 3.8, quant. SAT around 770, or 2 AP scores of 5 on science/math/physics), but also very rewarding (academic-year and summer support, etc.). If you think you're competitive, check it out.

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Last Updated 6/28/05
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