Student Research Opportunities at UMass Amherst
At UMass Amherst, there are boundless opportunities for undergraduate students to get involved in research and scholarship in any field of interest. Whether working in a faculty lab, participating in a summer program, or exploring opportunities beyond the bounds of campus, UMass helps students find the best option to take their learning to the next level.
Learn more about undergraduate research and scholarship:
What is a research institution and why should I attend one as an undergraduate?
Simply put, a research institution is a university that holds research as core to its mission.
UMass Amherst is the No. 1 public research university in New England in non-medical research and development (R&D) expenditures, and holds the highest Carnegie Classification as a doctoral university with "very high research activity." Faculty members across all disciplines are dedicated to conducting original and impactful research. For undergraduates at UMass Amherst, this means there are ample opportunities to learn from faculty with cutting-edge knowledge and to get involved in hands-on research and scholarship. You’ll also have access to world-class research facilities, like labs and libraries, that allow you to dive deeply into topics you’re interested in.
Undergraduates Making a Difference Through Research
When Shiven Patel was a high school student in Gujarat, India, he visited a society for the blind, and saw first-hand the challenges faced every day by underserved people with visual impairment. At UMass Amherst, he conducts research in the Dynamic and Autonomous Robotics Systems Laboratory to develop a state-of-the-art robotic guide dog that may one day help people who are blind or with low vision to navigate the world more independently.
English major Mia Klotz has a very personal connection to her research at UMass Amerst. Hear how she dedicated her Honors Thesis to adding a new school—located in a community in Bolivia where her family comes from—to the World Librarians Club, which provides open educational resources to schools that lack financial reserves or access to information.
Why do research at UMass Amherst as an undergraduate? For civil and environmental engineering major Raul Vera III, participating in research gave him a chance to dig deeper into understanding changes to water resources—a topic of great importance to him.
Learn how Lindsay Forauer combines her dual areas of study—linguistics and theater—in research that informs her work as a dialect coach for actors. See her research in action as she performs an authentic Polish accent, plus hear her advice for aspiring dialect coaches.
Students report that research greatly enhances their academic experience at UMass Amherst in many ways:
- It is helpful for building your resume, and critically important if you want to consider graduate school.
- It exposes you to new fields, allows you to delve deeper into topics of interest, and sheds light on real-world applications of what you learn in the classroom.
- It helps you build professional skills and provides networking opportunities that can lead to future internships, jobs, or graduate education. You may also get exposure to different career paths and learn about other enriching activities such as seminars and presentations.
- Through research, you’ll find an intellectual home, connecting with and learning from like-minded individuals, including other undergraduates and graduate students.
- Perhaps most importantly, you’ll learn how to address open-ended questions that aren’t covered in coursework and, often, have never been answered before. In this way, you can help make a difference in the world through research.
Yes, it is quite common for undergraduates to participate in some form of research during their time at UMass Amherst. In the most recent graduating students survey, about one-third of seniors reported having worked with a faculty member on a research project during their time at UMass.
Undergraduates can participate in research through several different pathways, including:
- Working in faculty labs;
- Taking part in Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs), a national model which expands access to authentic scientific research within mainstream undergraduate coursework;
- Engaging in summer research experiences, both on and off campus;
- Participating in international programs, internships, co-ops, and other field experiences.
For many undergraduates, research experiences culminate in an honors thesis, but non-thesis, independent study work in labs is also widely available.
It’s always a great idea to reach out to your academic advisor or another professor whose area of study interests you. You can also speak with your department or college’s career and advising offices for guidance.
In addition, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Studies (OURS) at UMass Amherst is a centralized resource that guides undergraduates in finding and accessing research and scholarly opportunities both on and off campus. OURS serves students across all disciplines at every stage in their undergraduate careers and offers support in preparing for and navigating the application process for any opportunities they are seeking.
Learn more or schedule a meeting on the OURS website. Questions can be directed to ours@umass.edu.
Absolutely! At UMass Amherst, research and scholarship are conducted in all departments. Talk to your academic advisor or a favorite professor about what research looks like in your field.
To get a taste of student research and scholarship conducted in non-STEM fields, check out these stories of undergraduate researchers studying linguistics, journalism, theater, and political science.
It’s never too early to start thinking about doing research, and the Office of Undergraduate Research and Studies (OURS) advises undergraduates as early as their first year at UMass Amherst. Typically, students have the most positive experiences with research when they join a research project that aligns with their academic interest. Though some faculty do require certain relevant skills, knowledge, or prior coursework for students working on their research, most faculty do not expect students to have all the needed skills at the outset. Students will receive training once they join the research group.
The process of applying for research opportunities can take some time, so OURS recommends reaching out early to start planning and refining your research interests. You can meet with OURS if you are not sure what research looks like in your major or you want to think about how to set yourself up for research later on.
Summer is a great time to explore research! The Office of Undergraduate Research and Studies (OURS) website spotlights several research opportunities outside of UMass Amherst, including many in Massachusetts and beyond. OURS advisors are also available to meet with students and provide assistance in locating summer opportunities in their subject area and location of interest.