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EEB Undergraduate �Research Opportunities

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Ways to Get Involved in Research

Volunteering
Research Opportunities Program (ROP)
Research Excursions Program (REP)
Field Courses
FREED
Research Courses
Work Study or Research Assistant (RA) Jobs
Research Awards, Grants, and Scholarships

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Volunteering

Overview:

Become acquainted with research and a lab
Build connections with professors, grad students, peers
Great experience that opens up future lab opportunities

Work Type:

Generally working on tedious, repetitive tasks (i.e., “grunt” work)

Pictured:

The U of T Trash Team

How to Apply: Reach out to professors/research labs, joining organizations and clubs

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Research Opportunities Program (ROP)

Overview:

Learn research methods and develop research skills for course credit
The chance to join a professor’s research project – you don’t design your own project
Available year-round and during the summer
Open to 2nd & 3rd year students (based on number of credits you have)

Work Type:

Generally helping with data collection and analysis for a broader project

Pictured:

Weis lab project – investigating seed viability after storage and artificial aging
Frederickson lab project – collecting samples for project on host-microbe mutualisms
Rochman lab project – investigating effects of road runoff on freshwater mussels

Info & How to Apply: ROP Website

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Research Excursions Program (REP)

Overview:

Perform field work off-campus under prof’s supervision for course credit
Students only pay course tuition fees; travel and accommodation costs are covered
Sample of locations: Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Algonquin Provincial Park, Koffler Scientific Reserve (KSR)

Work Type:

Usually an intensive 1-3 week field trip, with both prep work before, and data analysis and report writing after

Pictured:

Weis lab project – investigating the parasitic goldenrod gall fly and the common goldenrod plant at KSR
Rollinson lab project – field sampling at the Wildlife Research Station in Algonquin Park

Info & How to Apply: REP Website

Provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to travel off-campus as part of a professor’s research project and to earn a course credit at the same time.
Past REP courses have taken students around the world, including to archives in New York City, field sites in Algonquin Park and forests in Ecuador.
REP courses run during the summer (May-August)
The Faculty of Arts & Science covers travel and living expenses for students. Summer tuition fees apply.
Credit value either 0.5 or 1.0 depending on the REP
Full details including eligibility and deadlines on the REP website.
Pre-requisites are usually based on completed credits, and sometimes courses like BIO120 and BIO220
Apply through CLNx usually in February / March
Each faculty supervisor has their own method and selection process – make sure you're aware of this, they will usually state it through their CLNx page

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Field Courses

Overview:

Outdoor learning opportunity in small class size (for course credit)
EEB offers 1-2 field courses each summer
EEB is also part of the Ontario Universities Program in Field Biology (OUPFB), which allows U of T students to take field courses offered by other universities in Ontario without having to apply for transfer credit. Usually up to 20 different field courses to choose from!

Work Type:

An intensive 2-week field trip, with both prep work before, and data analysis and report writing after

Pictured:

Temperate Field Biology at KSR (EEB405); Aquatic Ecology and Experimental Limnology (OUPFB, Lakehead), Marine Biology and Oceanography (OUPFB, Guelph)

Info & How to Apply: EEB Field Courses Webpage

Field courses are university credit courses that take place away from the university campus, usually at a research station, rural or wilderness location.
Most field courses have a very small class size (usually 20 students or less), so they provide an opportunity for students to interact closely with the course instructor(s), and to collaborate with other students who share the same interests.
Students are immersed for two weeks in a field setting where they learn field methods, how to collect data, how to conduct field experiments, and the natural history and ecology of plants and animals
Offered in two-week modules (0.5 academic credits)

Many students have described field courses as the highlight of their degree.
A great way to get a better sense of your own interests, but can be very expensive with travelling costs, health care preparation, equipment, etc.
Field courses have an additional fee (often called “field course fee” or “field course cost”) ON TOP of tuition.
Prerequisites are usually based on completed credits and courses like BIO120 and BIO220 – 2nd year students usually can participate during the summer between their 2nd and 3rd year!
Usually some prep/reading beforehand + students required to complete data analysis and report once back from the field (e.g., usually have ~2-3 weeks after returning from the field to complete project)

Ontario Universities Program in Field Biology (OUPFB) allows EEB students to choose from a variety of field courses offered through other Ontario universities. Examples include:

Alpine Ecology
Urban Water Ecosystems
Marine Biology & Oceanography
Biodiversity Conservation in East Africa
Fish Ecology and Fisheries

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Field Research in Ecology and Evolution Diversified (FREED)

Overview:

FREED is an organization dedicated to increasing access to field work, research experience and naturalist skills for Indigenous, Black and/or Racialized undergraduate students
They host weekend and week-long naturalist ‘crash courses’ in green spaces throughout the summer
Through sponsorships and fundraising, FREED covers most of the costs of its participants and workshop leaders in order to increase access to the program and facilitate authentic relationship and community building.

Work Type:

Learn and practice naturalist skills from workshops lead predominantly by Indigenous, Black and Racialized graduate students

Info & How to Apply: FREED Website

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Research Courses

Overview:

Learn and fully immerse yourself in the full process of research for course credit
Work closely with professors and graduate students in the department
Open to 3rd & 4th year students (based on number of credits you have)

Work Type:

Responsible for finding your own supervisor
EEB497 (0.5 credit): literature review
EEB397/498/499 (1.0 credit): design an experiment, collect data, write a report, and do an oral presentation
EEB498 students present at the Undergraduate Research Fair

Info & How to Apply: EEB Research Courses Webpage

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Work Study Positions or �Research Assistant (RA) Jobs

Work Study:

Part-time, paid on-campus positions for students enrolled in courses
Positions available during the summer and year-round (not limited to EEB)
Many professors like to re-hire students because they don’t have to re-train them

Info & How to Apply: Work Study Program

Research Assistant (RA):

These jobs are typically not advertised
Mostly offered as summer jobs to students who have already worked in the lab before

Work Study is the university’s program to create part-time jobs for students. The jobs they offer are in all sorts of areas not just EEB but often EEB profs post work study job postings for research and lab positions
Work Study has two time periods either the summer or for the school year and you can work maximum hours per week. Students also have to be enrolled in a minimum of credits to be eligible
Try to apply to as many as possible, but still make sure your application is somewhat customized to the position so it doesn’t just look like you copied and pasted to apply to dozens of positions
Research Assistant jobs: Getting hired to work in the lab. Typically students who have been working in the lab for awhile will be offered these positions if the prof has funding and needs the support

Pictured:

Work-study job in the Mahler lab generating microCT scan images of anole lizards
Work-study/RA job in the Thomson lab collecting and pinning wild bees

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Research Awards, Grants, and Scholarships

Awards, grants, and scholarships are a great way to get paid for research projects over the summer and great for your resume!

Scholarships and Awards related to EEB

Faculty of Arts & Science Awards and Scholarships

Centre for International Experience (CIE)

Scholarships & Visiting Studies
Laidlaw Leadership and Research Program - only eligible for 1st and 2nd year students

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Finding research that’s right for you

Take your time

Set aside time to go through your research options
Explore available areas of research both within and outside of EEB

Reach out to people

Go to professor’s office hours
Contact the EEB Undergraduate Office for questions and advice
Talk to upper-year students and your TAs - most of them were once in your position and want to help
TAs are graduate students and often have projects they need help with just like professors

Try out more than one thing

Let yourself experience different labs and types of research
Professors and graduate students won’t be upset if you want to try something different – most of them encourage that you do

Want to chat with an upper-year

student or a graduate student,

but don’t know where to start?

EEBU has a list of Undergraduate Research Contacts and runs a lively Discord Server!

Access the links at linktr.ee/eebu.uoft

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Contacting Professors

Explore the EEB faculty

Set aside time to explore areas of interest and research amongst faculty as well as whether they are accepting students

Take time looking into a professor’s work

Review the professor’s profile on the department website
Check out their lab’s website, work and recent papers – it’s important to not only like their research, but also who they collaborate with

Express genuine interest

Professors really value students who express a genuine passion and curiosity for an area of research
Don’t just share your grades and experience - many professors place more value on a student’s interest and willingness to learn

Check out the

EEB Faculty List to learn about the different labs and areas of research within EEB at U of T!

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Useful Links

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Questions?

Want to talk or hear more about research in EEB?

Contact the EEB Undergraduate Office at undergrad.eeb@utoronto.ca!