<p>As a junior transfer student, I already have a lot of research experience under my belt.
I want to spend my junior year just taking classes, and then do the research req during my senior year.</p>
<p>Can you talk about how intense / competitive / educational the research class really is? The department will not let me exempt out of it, so I am wondering if it is cutthroat</p>
<p>bump anyone?</p>
<p>i’m almost positive there’s no competition in any research-driven class (i mean, what are you going to compete on, my project / pi is better than yours?)</p>
<p>and it’s probably as educational as you want it to be / intensity depends on the project you pick probably</p>
<p>if you are talking about bche 404 the vast majority do it senior year. it is not competitive, but i heard some of the profs will give you some difficult questions about your research.</p>
<p>i should mention that even though most of the majors do the actual seminar senior year most have been in a lab since sophomore year through work study or independent study. though this is not a requirement, it greatly increases the quality of most of the projects and probably the expectations as well. you should try to get into a lab as soon as you get here.</p>
<p>How easy is it to get involved in lab work and then eventually independent research? Do you simply contact a professor and ask to help in the lab? </p>
<p>How does one find out if a professor is looking for lab hands?</p>
<p>My advice would be to look through the chem dept website as well as a lot of the med school labs (if you are majoring in biochem). When you someone that is doing interesting work, just email them. Most professors love undergrads (cheap labor) and will get back to you pretty quickly. Some might not be taking any on, but the surest way to find out is by emailing.</p>
<p>That’s good to hear.
How are grades assigned in these classes?</p>