Research at Cal

UC Berkeley is a research-focused university. Most faculty are active researchers who run externally-funded programs on cutting-edge topics. You can start doing undergraduate research early! Many labs welcome first- and second-year students. However, do not feel like you have to join a research lab. The most important thing in the first two years is that you learn to balance fun with the hard task of learning.

Why do research. Research turns concepts into practice, connects you with faculty and graduate mentors, and is a great way to learn what a subfield is really like before you commit to a career.

A first role often means assisting an experienced student; independence grows with time. Take the opportunities you are given, even if you don’t believe that the topic fits perfectly with your interests. You may be surprised how your interests change. And, getting involved in any research will help you transition to the type of research you eventually want to do.

How to start.

• URAP. The Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program matches students with faculty projects each semester and is the standard on-ramp; browse current listings through the Office of Undergraduate Research.
• Approach labs directly. Read a few faculty pages, find work that genuinely interests you, and send a short, specific email. What caught your attention and why. Office hours are also a natural place to ask. If you don’t get a response, don’t worry! Follow up and ask if you can attend the research group’s lab meetings to learn more about their work. Persistence is key.