Imagine partaking in an activity that allows you to gain experience beyond the traditional framework of an undergraduate career, where instead of only acquiring knowledge, you are creating it, and instead of only learning about discoveries, you are making them. This is what it is like to be an undergraduate researcher. This opportunity is very unique as many undergraduates who involve themselves in research develop valuable practical skills that cannot be learned through any university course, priming them for future success. It is for this sole reason, that you are encouraged to experience research at the undergraduate level, for it is always the case that there will be little to lose and far more to gain.
In this manual, you will find 12 comprehensive chapters outlining everything you need to know about undergraduate research, an activity that arguably has the potential to provide you with more academic success and advancement opportunity than any other undergraduate pursuit. This book has been specifically written so that it can be read sequentially or separately based on your level of experience and reading preference. The beginning chapters provide you with a thorough understanding of the structure of research and professorships, the benefits students may gain from this activity and the types of research positions available to undergraduates. The vast majority of this strategy manual provides an in-depth and highly comprehensive look into the application process, inclusive of all the information you need to find an appropriate research group, construct and submit your application, and prepare for the interview with potential supervisors. Lastly, the final chapters explain how you can successfully optimize your research experiences, maintain your professional relationships, and continue to advance in research throughout the rest of your undergraduate career. Through reading this book and using the advice within it, you will gain a competitive advantage over your peers, while bypassing the vast majority of common mistakes that many undergraduates typically make along the way.
This strategy manual has been written to accommodate a wide-reaching audience. Whether you are the high school student who knows little about the academic research environment, the seasoned final-year undergraduate seeking opportunities for advancement, or a student who fits into a category somewhere in between, there is bound to be something valuable for you to gain. Additionally, faculty members, graduate students and teaching assistants, can share this strategy manual with any undergraduate students who express their interest in research.
As a student, research experience will teach you how to think creatively and critically, promote your academic development, allow you to learn about your future career options, and perhaps even provide you with the benefit of reaping rewards that you never thought were possible. It is the author's hope that this book piques the interest of students from all natural and clinical science backgrounds who otherwise would not pursue undergraduate research, but also encourages and inspires those who already have an established interest or who carry prior experience. Finally, remember that there is nothing more powerful than the creation of knowledge and the provision of an opportunity that holds the potential to make a positive impact in the world around you.
Jeremy Y. Ng is a graduate student at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto, and earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology, and graduated with distinction summa cum laude at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Jeremy has been involved in research since his first year, and has since worked alongside seven different principal investigators, including distinguished research chairs and clinician-scientists. He is the recipient of the prestigious Undergraduate Student Research Award funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), as well as one of two students nationally to be awarded the KNOR Knowledge Research Grant funded by the KNOR Foundation for Cancer Research in 2012. Jeremy has shared his experiences in research through his roles as a teaching assistant, undergraduate and graduate student, encouraging students to begin an undergraduate research career in order to maximize their future potential in academia.
