Undergraduate research opportunities in Neuroscience
The Department of Neuroscience offers a variety of research opportunities for undergraduate students. Participating in research is a critical component of academic and professional development for those considering careers in science. It also enhances competitiveness for medical school, graduate programs, and industry positions.
Undergraduate research can take many forms, including conducting experiments, analyzing data, or contributing to lab organization and maintenance. Involvement in a neuroscience research team provides invaluable experience. Students who engage early with faculty and graduate mentors often benefit from greater exposure to advanced methodologies, interdisciplinary fields, and deeper integration of classroom learning.
The Institute for Neuroscience can provide training for the equipment you may use and additional support for your projects.
Benefits of Undergraduate Research:
- Acquire hands-on experience relevant to a range of career paths, including medicine and graduate study
- Earn academic credit toward your degree
- Build professional relationships and expand future career opportunities
- Discover specific research interests through active exploration of the field
Getting Started in Undergraduate Research
There are several ways to begin your research journey. The first step is identifying a project or area that aligns with your interests. Start by speaking with your academic advisor and reaching out to faculty members whose work resonates with you.
Find research opportunities
Review faculty profiles and departmental research initiatives to identify potential mentors and projects of interest.
Reach out via email or schedule a meeting to express your interest and inquire about available opportunities. Express interest in their research, and be professional and concise in your communications.
Share your availability, academic goals, and what type of involvement you’re seeking (volunteer, credit-based, or in rare cases, paid).
If a faculty member can work with you, arrange a meeting to discuss your goals and expectations for the semester. Treat this conversation as a formal interview, research their work beforehand so you can engage knowledgeably and demonstrate genuine interest.
With mutual agreement, you may be eligible to earn academic credit through research internship courses applicable to your neuroscience degree.
Complete a research internship agreement at the start of the semester in which you are seeking research internship credits.
The agreement should include the following:
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Your full name
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Desired course number and credit hours
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Semester of participation
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A brief project description, including research methods, expectations, and deliverables
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Evaluation criteria and estimated weekly time commitment
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Signatures and contact information for both you and your faculty mentor
Once the form is signed and submitted to the [DEPARTMENT NAME], our office staff will give you the call number needed to sign up for the credits. Use this call number to sign up for the appropriate course and number of credits in MyNevada. Students completing an internship during the summer may have to wait until the fall semester to obtain credit. Talk to your Neuroscience faculty mentor about this issue if you are a graduating senior.