The following entries are hints and tips from various Biology faculty and advisors on getting into a research group and doing the type of reseach you want to do.

• "Undergrads usually begin as a lab "go-fer," unless they've already had a lot of lab experience. Later, they may move into their own research projects, typically working with a grad student or postdoc. "
• "I can usually arrange to give 290 / 390 course credit, roughly 1 hour's worth per 5 hours/week spent in the lab. "
• "Realistically, I've observed that students are unable to accomplish anything significant unless they can spend at least 20 hours/week in the lab. "
• "I usually employ one undergrad for lab maintenance duties (10-15 hours/week), and pay them at the minimum wage rate. "
• "If you are really anxious to get started in a lab soon, there are a couple of tips I can offer.
  1) for any department with faculty whose research may be of some interest to you, find out who the NEW HIRES are and contact them directly. New faculty usually have the most immediate needs for lab personnel. You should be able to find out who's just arrived (or may be about to) by contacting the department (telephone or walk into the departmental office) and asking the secretaries for this information.
  2) if your interests include the psychological realm, you might contact William Greenough at the Beckman Institute (with affiliations to both CSB and Psychology departments). Last I heard, his lab typically takes in 20-30 students annually for 290 / 390 research projects. "
• Look over the faculty lists carefully and choose many possible labs. Many labs are full and others may not be taking students for other reasons.
• Think of a 290 / 390 experience more as a laboratory course. You need to have blocks of time available to be successful. In general, coming into the lab one whole morning or a whole afternoon once a week throughout the semester is often worth 1 hour of credit. The hours you need to work for credit are up to the professor and the agreement you two work out!
• Whether or not you receive a grade for your 290 / 390 experience depends on the department in which you do research. Often if the department offers grades for 290 / 390 research, you will have a deferred grade until your project is completed. At that time, the professor will go back and put in grades for all the semesters you have worked.
• IB 490 and MCB 492 are school course numbers that reflect stages of the distinction project you are completing. The professor which you are working under will indicate which course number is appropriate for any given semester.
• Where to look for opportunities:
• 1. By directly contacting the faculty member after visiting their website.
  2. The advising office posts opportunities online and on the bulletin board outside 127 Burrill.
  3. Faculty post vacancies on departmental bulletin boards and on lab group bulletin boards.