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CMNS Undergraduate Research Experiences

Internships are valuable. Research is fascinating. Experience the thrill of scientific discovery first hand. Use and apply knowledge you have learned in class. Learn the scientific method in a real experimental setting, and see how new scientific knowledge is created. Be part of Maryland faculty's contribution to new knowledge in science and mathematics.

CMNS is one of the nation's leading centers for the discovery of new knowledge in our disciplines, and with its undergraduate research program provides students with a unique opportunity to participate in that knowledge discovery. With a research experience you can be part of facing the challenge of designing an experiment or new type of calculation from scratch. There are no textbooks or manuals with "cookbook" procedures for doing original research: research is the genuine exploration of the unknown.

A research experience will give you a first-hand route into professional problem-solving and may lead to publication. It will give you personal contact with faculty postdoctoral fellows and graduate students, and a real picture of graduate school. Employers and graduate schools look for research experience in applicants.

• Faculty are motivated to take interns based on your enthusiasm: ask questions; ask for simple examples in everyday settings; ask about the basic science being studied.
• Check out the science background information on the web or in the encyclopedia.
• Understand that different projects require different academic preparation levels. Some projects are suitable for high school students, while other projects are suitable for undergraduates close to graduation.
• The College receives an oversupply of requests for projects directly on computer science; branch out and consider other fields.
• Explore the websites of our labs, beginning with the links below.
• Show up on time, be courteous, and ask for help if you are not sure what to do.

Interested students should carefully review the research descriptions appearing on the following webpages. Interested students should then contact the faculty/researchers identified on the webpages and arrange to meet to discuss the following:

• Are there student research positions available?
• Are there any prerequisites (classes, experience etc.) to joining the research group?
• What are the tasks and responsibilities associated with a student role in the project?
• What are the expectations for working times, quantity of hours per week, and length of commitment to the team?
• Can research be done for credit? Is a stipend available?

Astronomy
Atmospheric and Oceanic Science
Computer Science
Geology
Mathematics
Physics
Center for Scientific Computation and Mathematical Modeling
Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center
Institute for Advanced Computer Science (UMIACS)
Institute for Physical Sciences and Technology (IPST)
Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics (IREAP)
Joint Space Science Institute
Maryland Center for Undergraduate Research
Institute for Advanced Computer Science (UMIACS)
Institute for Physical Sciences and Technology (IPST)
Center for Scientific Computation and Mathematical Modeling
Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center
Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics (IREAP)
Find out about the CMNS research Institutes and Centers
Find out about the J. R. Dorfman Prize for Undergraduate Research
Campus information and resources for undergraduate research
Consent and Release Form for On-Campus Research for High School Students (PDF)

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