What is the standard procedure for getting a summer research position in Biology at StFX?

• decide on an area of research interest (or interests)
• find a research supervisor by talking to a professor (or professors) whose research interests overlap with yours (by mid January)
  Note: this is a requirement – you must have a supervisor to apply for funding
• apply for an undergraduate research award, due in late January or early February (check the awards information page for the yearly deadline)
  Note: you are not expected to undertake this process alone – your supervisor will help you with the application

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES:

• you can hold a research position during any summer of your degree (particulary after your 2nd, 3rd OR even 4th year)
• this is not the only way to get or fund a summer research position – there are others
• awards are not limited to Honours students
• you need not plan to work for the entire summer to receive an award

What is Research? How do I find out more about it?

• listen in class – you will hear professors talk about it
• talk to professors about the research they mention
• read the research posters posted outside professors’ labs
• explore possible research areas
• visit individual professors’ websites, linked from the people page, part of the department website
• go to research seminars (watch for ads posted in the Biology Dept and on the BioNews email list)
• drop by the StFX undergraduate research day
• read the WebGURU – a great web resource for undergraduate research
• go to an undergraduate research conference

Why do research in the first place?

• it can be great fun
• it teaches you critical thinking and communication skills that are invaluable in just about ANY career you choose
• variety: few jobs are as varied as research
• it will help you get into graduate school
• it can help you get into medical  school or other professional programs

What can I do to improve my chances of getting into research?

• show enthusiasm – ask questions in class and after class, do extra reading and talk to your professors
• show initiative – make appointment(s) with professors to talk about yours and their research interests
• get good grades
• check out this very useful guide: doi: 10.1002/bes2.1745
• get advice on getting into grad school

How can I get my first research experience?

• talk to professors about research
• volunteer in a professors lab, helping them or their other students to do research
  Note: volunteering research experience counts just as much as paid research experience
• get a job as a research assistant to a professor or their honours or masters or PhD students
• complete a Directed Studies course with a faculty member
• complete an honours degree – you’ll do research as part of your degree
• join the co-op program – many co-op jobs involve research
• look outside the university: many jobs in non-profit organizations and in government (fisheries, environment, etc.) involve research

I need money to survive. What are ways that I can get paid to do research?

• do an honours degree and get paid to do research during the summer
• get a summer research assistant job
• after graduation, get a job as a technician in a professor’s laboratory
• start a Masters degree – most Masters students in the sciences are paid

How do I improve my chances of getting into graduate school?

• advice on getting into graduate school