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How to Get Involved in Research

Tuesday, October 7th, 2025

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Agenda

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Academic Credit Options for Research

Neuroscience

Major Capstone Requirement

Additional Resources

Undergraduate Research Center

Institute of Neuro Innovation @ UCLA

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Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Jorge A. Avila, Ph.D.�Assistant Director

Undergraduate Research Center –Sciences

What Research at UCLA

can do for you

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A little about me

Jorge A. Avila, Ph.D.

Assistant Director

Postdoc: Rutgers University

Graduate School: Hunter College, CUNY

College: Penn State University

Industry training: Psychogenics, Inc.

Expertise and Field: Behavioral Neuroscience

2 Degrees from Psychology Depts.

Interdisciplinary Research

  • Biological Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Behavior

Industry experience (1 year at a CRO)

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Where you are and where you are going

Research

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Undergraduate Research At UCLA

UCLA has two undergraduate research centers

Research opportunities in all disciplines

Faculty- or student-initiated projects

Scholarships for research

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Where to find the URC-Sciences

2121 Life Sciences Building

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Undergraduate Research

WHAT IS IT?

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

HOW TO FIND OPPORTUNITIES?

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What Is Undergraduate Research?

Independent study in a field of research

Conducted in a lab ran by a Faculty Mentor/Principal Investigator (PI)

Entry-level research is done as part of a larger project in the lab

Work under the supervision of a post-doc, grad student or senior undergrad

Time commitments can vary between 5-20 hours per week depending on project

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Types of Research

Basic science research: advances fundamental theories and knowledge through discovery

Clinical research: research involving patients, patient samples or patient data

Applied/translational research: applying basic science research to develop technologies or improve human health

Field research: studying an ecosystem, environment or model organism outside of the lab

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Benefits Of Undergraduate Research

    • Find out if a career in research is right for you

Explore interests and future career goals

    • Research experience looks great on resume/CV
    • Strengthen application for graduate or professional school

Gain valuable work experience

    • Academic and career mentorship
    • Letters of recommendation

Network and build�meaningful relationships

    • Critical thinking, problem solving, time management, communication

Develop valuable skills

    • Earn university credit; satisfy major/departmental requirements
    • Earn $$$ via qualifying scholarships

Other Benefits

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Finding Undergraduate Research Opportunities

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First Step: Identify Your Research Interests

What topic(s) in Neuroscience interest you?

Reflect on classes you have taken

Review previously assigned readings

Talk to your TAs or professors about potential areas of research

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Next Step: Find Research Opportunities

Departmental websites

Faculty Listings

URC-Sciences Website

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Department Websites

  • What department do you want to conduct research in?
  • Visit your major’s departmental website
  • You are not limited to your major
  • You can work with any faculty in any department

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Faculty Listings and Directories

  • Visit faculty webpages to learn about their research
  • Read about their research projects
  • Skim through published papers
  • Familiarize yourself with the lab’s work as much as possible

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Extramural Research: Opportunities via RESEARCH PRACTICE 99/195

  • 1-4 unit contract for independent study
  • Tutorial (supervised research or other scholarly work)
  • 5 hours per week per unit.
  • Entry-level research under the guidance of a faculty mentor at an off-campus site, or an instructor in the Undergraduate Research Centers
  • ResPrc99 – during the academic year
  • ResPrc195 – Summer sessions, graded participation

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How to secure a research position?

Background research on the lab

Compose personalized CV and cover letter

Make a list of 10 faculty to contact

Email potential faculty mentors: express interest and request an interview

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Send follow-up emails if you don’t hear back

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Applying for opportunities

  • Identify 5-10 faculty you want to work with
    • This process is similar to applying for a job
    • The more faculty you plan to contact, the better your chances will be
  • Record their email addresses
  • Prepare a cover letter and CV
  • Email them!
  • Do not show up to their lab or office unannounced

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Preparing a cover letter

  • Your cover letter will comprise the body of your email
  • Introduce yourself and explain why you are contacting them
    • Name, major, and year (Contact info in your signature line)
    • Your interest in the faculty’s work – Important!
    • Identify your goals and why working on their project is relevant
    • Request an interview to discuss a potential research opportunity
  • 2-3 paragraphs max

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Cover letter Tips

  • Professional correspondence - use appropriate language, titles (Dr. or Professor, not their first name), fonts, grammar, and punctuation. Proofread!
  • Personalize your letter. Generic templates are easy to spot
  • Be concise. Faculty receive a high volume of email
  • Don’t worry about not having any prior experience. More often than not, faculty are looking for someone who is interested in their research and willing to commit time.

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Preparing a curriculum vitae (CV)

  • Comprehensive documents that outline professional & academic history, experiences, and skills.
  • 1 page max, recommended
  • Undergraduates should include:
    • Name and contact information
    • Relevant coursework
    • Work experience
    • Skills
    • Honors and awards
  • Attach your CV to the email

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Resources for Cover Letter and CV

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What happens if you don’t get a response?

  • Send a polite follow-up email in 1 week
    • Follow up a 2nd time if you are determined to work with a specific faculty
      • Consider cc’ing other lab members if their contact information is available
  • Do not show up in person to a lab or office unannounced
  • If you don’t receive a response, move on to other faculty

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What happens if you get declined?

  • Do not take it personally
  • Thank them for their time and consideration
  • Move on to other faculty
  • Be persistent

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What happens if you are offered an interview?

  • Confirm the date, time, and location
  • If the interview date is far away, send a confirmation email 2-3 days in advance
  • Arrive early
  • Dress appropriately
  • Have questions prepared to ask – you are also interviewing them

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Questions to ask when interviewing with a lab

  • Who will be supervising & training me?
  • How is the project structured?
  • What techniques and equipment will I be using?
  • What safety training(s) do I need to complete?
  • What time commitment is expected?
  • How many people are currently working in your lab?
  • Are hours flexible during exam season? (Remember, you are a student first!)
  • What literature can I read in preparation?

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After You Get Into A Lab

Apply for academic credit by enrolling in Student Research Program-99 (SRP-99)

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Apply to one of our programs for funding

Visit our website for complete program information

http://www.ugresearchsci.ucla.edu/

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What Is SRP-99?

1200 students a year start research through SRP

Receive 1-2 units of honors credit (P/NP)

Can go up to 3 quarters

Commitment: 3-5 hours of work per week for each unit enrolled

“Getting Into SRP-99” Workshops

https://sciences.ugresearch.ucla.edu/courses/srp/

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Student Research Program (SRP-99): Overview

  • Lower-division independent research course
  • Earn 1-2 units for 3-10 hours of work per week
  • *You must have a research project before enrolling
    • Enrolling in SRP-99 does NOT place you into an open research project
  • Repeatable for up to 10 units total
    • 6 units will count towards graduation unit requirement
    • 7-10 units will not be applied but will be listed on transcripts

“Getting Into SRP-99” Workshops

https://sciences.ugresearch.ucla.edu/courses/srp/

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URC-Sciences Programs and Scholarships

https://sciences.ugresearch.ucla.edu/

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Current Opportunities

  • URFP (Fall application; Winter start)
    • $3k for any class standing; to participate in research during Winter, Spring
    • Deadline: November 14
  • URSP (Spring application; Fall start)
    • $6k for seniors to participate in research during Fall, Winter
    • $4.5k for juniors to participate in research during Fall, Winter
    • APPLICATION CYCLE: MAY thru JUNE
  • URC-Sciences Summer Program (Winter Application, Summer only program)
    • $6k for full time research (40 hours/week for 10 weeks) in a UCLA lab to participate in research during Fall, Winter
    • $2k to $3k for part time research (10-20 hours per week for 10 weeks) with parallel enrollment in summer classes
    • Deadline: March

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When To Start Undergraduate Research?

    • Sophomore Year

Freshman

    • Winter Quarter

Sophomore

    • Now

Transfer

It takes time to adjust to the quarter system and rigors of UCLA coursework

Make sure you can handle classes before starting in a lab!

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Timeline: Fall Quarter

Visit the URCs!  Orientation and Zero Week Open House

Maintain a high GPA - 2.9 or better to be eligible for scholarships in Winter

Apply for research opportunities, programs, scholarships

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Timeline: Winter/Spring

Start in a UCLA research lab

Apply for next AY research scholarships

Apply for a summer research program or internships

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More Questions?

http://www.ugresearchsci.ucla.edu/

2121 Life Science Building �621 Charles E. Young Drive�Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606��Phone: (310) 794-4227�Email: urcsciences@college.ucla.edu

Visit our Office Hours

Visit us during work hours

email us

call us

follow us on LinkedIn

Instagram

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  • SRP-99 (URC-Sciences)
  • Departmental 199s (academic departments)
  • Neuroscience 199A/B or 198A/ B (Neuroscience major�independent research capstone)

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Academic Credit Options for Research

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Academic Credit Options for Research

SRP-99

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  • Entry-Level experience
  • 1-2 units of lower division credit
  • Must be a full time student in good academic standing
  • Pass/No Pass
  • Create a contract on MyUCLA (choose department that your lab/PI is affiliated with)
  • Contracts are due to the Undergraduate Research Center-Sciences by Friday of Week 2 (via MyUCLA Message Center)

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Academic Credit Options for Research

Departmental 199s

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  • More advanced, independent, and a greater time commitment
  • Can earn a letter grade for 4 units of credit
  • Requires a final paper/thesis at the end of the quarter
  • Administered by the department of the faculty advisor/PI
  • Option for students who want to earn upper division credit for research, but are not yet ready to begin their Neuroscience major capstone

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Neuroscience Major Capstone Requirement

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Neuroscience Capstone Options

NEUROSC 199A/B & NEUROSC 198A/B

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  • Prerequisites: NEUROSC M101A & SRP-99 or 199 with the same lab
  • 4 unit contract courses for 2 consecutive quarters (8 units total)
  • Faculty sponsor must have an Academic Senate title
  • Paperwork due Friday of Week 1 to Bruin Learn site
  • Letter grade assigned at the end of NEUROSC 199B/198B
    • Grade remains “IP” for NEUROSC 199A/198A until 199B/198B completed
  • Only available in Fall, Winter, and Spring and must be taken consecutively
  • Students will be required to present at the annual Neuroscience Poster Day

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What is the difference between NEUROSC 199A/B & 198A/B?

Both fulfill the Neuroscience major independent research capstone option. However, NEUROSC 198A/B is for students pursuing Departmental Honors. If you are a part of the Departmental Honors program, this is the contract you will create and enroll in.

In addition to all of the requirements of a NEUROSC 199A contract, students completing NEUROSC 198A will also be enrolled in an honors seminar, NEUROSC 191H, during winter quarter, and complete an honors thesis upon completion of NEUROSC 198B (requires a second faculty reader).

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How to Enroll

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Download Neuroscience 198A or 199A contract from MyUCLA

Fill out Faculty Sponsor Form (different forms for 199A/B and 198A/B)

Complete Supplemental Outline - 198A/199A Supplemental Outline Instructions

Get Faculty mentor to sign BOTH the MyUCLA contract and a faculty sponsor form

**Submit all documents as a single PDF by 4pm Friday of Week 1 to the Bruin Learn site.

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Quick Glance at the Bruin Learn Site

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Neuroscience Capstone Options

Laboratory Methods

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  • (1) NEUROSC/PSYCH M116A OR PSYCH 116B (offered every quarter and over the summer)
    • Prerequisites: NEUROSC M101A, M101B (M101B can be taken concurrently)

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  • (2) Additional major elective from any elective category
    • Students who choose this capstone option must take a total of 4 upper division major electives

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Neuroscience Capstone Options

Project Brainstorm

(NEUROSC 192BX) Winter & Spring

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  • Project Brainstorm is a two-quarter outreach/research project offered to junior and senior Neuroscience majors who have an opportunity to develop teaching lessons on Neuroscience that are presented to local K-12 students
  • Project Brainstorm meets on Thursdays from 9:00am – 11:50am in both the Winter and Spring quarters
  • Students will be required to present at the annual Neuroscience Outreach Day
  • Questions? Contact Dr. Dominguez at endoming@g.ucla.edu

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Neuroscience Capstone Options

DOPA-Team

(NEUROSC C177 & 192CX) Winter & Spring

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  • Successful applicants will enroll in two sequential courses: NEUROSC C177 ‘Drugs of Abuse: Translational Neurobiology’ in Winter quarter and NEUROSC 192CX ‘Drug Abuse and Society: Conveying Concepts to High School’ in Spring quarter
  • Students will be given the opportunity to choose a drug category and translate the academic knowledge acquired in C177 into an age-appropriate and interactive presentation and hands-on activity for high school students
  • Students will be required to present at the annual Neuroscience Outreach Day
  • Questions? Contact Dr. Romero at raromer@ucla.edu

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Project Brainstorm and DOPA Team Deadline

Eligible applicants for these capstones must be Neuroscience majors in their junior or senior year and have completed NEUROSC M101A (or be in the process of taking it during Fall 2025). Students can apply for consideration for one or both of these capstone options, but will only be accepted to one.

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Deadline: Sunday, October 12th at 11:59pm PST

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Additional Resources

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Questions?

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Thanks!

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