<p>I have a few questions about research at umd. </p>
<p>1) does umd offer many ON CAMPUS research activities for bioengineering?
2) how easy is it to get involved in research on campus?
3)how many hours a day does one usually spend on research?
4) is research only limited to upperclassmen, or can freshman also participate in research</p>
<p>1) Can’t answer this one…sorry.
2) If your grades are good and you put some effort in, it is easy. Unpaid research is easy, paid research positions are harder to come by.
3) D probably spent about 10-15 hrs a week from 2nd semester Freshman year through Jr year. More during senior year. Everything she did on-campus was unpaid, but she became a TA working for the professor with whom she did research, which was a paid gig.
4) Freshmen can also participate. There is an office or dept on-campus with research opportunities. You may not be doing world-class research leading to publication your freshman year, but once you prove you are a good worker, and get to know the professors in your major from the very beginning, you’ll find doors opening for you. D1’s first research was 2nd semester freshman year, volunteering for a science prof outside her department and she reorganized a website based on research that the prof and his grad students had done. She showed she was a good worker, thorough, positive attitude, blah blah blah, and got excellent letters of recommendation from the professor. At the same time her freshman year she established good rapport with profs (and straight A’s) in her major. She was doing (paid) research at NASA (Goddard Space Flight Center) in Greenbelt the first semester her sophomore year through senior year, and did on-campus research in her major all during her junior and senior years. You have to seek out the opportunities, but they are definitely there.</p>
<p>1) Though I cannot speak for bioengineering specifically, I have never heard of a department that did not have a large number of on-campus research opportunities. That is one of the main perks of attending a large research institution like UMD-- there are so many professors with labs, the chances are nearly endless.</p>
<p>2) The process is rather simple. You choose a group of professors whose work seems interesting, you send them emails, and you hope for a response. The most difficult aspect is that it is all on you. Help is available from advisers, but in the end the process is up to the student.</p>
<p>3) It depends on what sort of commitment you decide to make. In the chemistry department, one credit requires 5 hours per week. In other departments it is different.</p>
<p>4) Research is not limited to any group of students. However, it is simply more difficult to demonstrate as a freshman that you are qualified to take on a research position (enough lab science classes, previous experience, etc). There is nothing stopping you from trying to get a position at any time, but you are more likely to be successful after accumulating a little experience.</p>
<p>OP, FYI, Maryland has its own scientific journal where you can submit and have your research published. 
The process (peer review) is the same as for any other journal and so is a very relevant and worthwhile experience. </p>
<p>[Home</a> | Scientific Terrapin | UMD Undergraduate Research Journal](<a href=“http://www.scientificterrapin.umd.edu/]Home”>http://www.scientificterrapin.umd.edu/)</p>
<p>Here is a link about labs on campus for research </p>
<p>[Bioengineering</a> Laboratories, University of Maryland](<a href=“http://www.bioe.umd.edu/research/laboratories.html]Bioengineering”>http://www.bioe.umd.edu/research/laboratories.html)</p>
<p>Don’t quote me, but I seem to recall hearing staff answer similar question at open house, and I believe they said freshman absolutely can get involved in research if they choose to, but typically they don’t first semester …because of wanting time to adjust or even just logistics of scheduling (need to find out what hours the research is available and schedule classes around those times - ie schedule 3 hour blocks of time on certain days to work in lab). Research can be part-time during the year (about 10 hours, give or take), or full-time during break or summer. </p>
<p>So, does your question mean that you are now considering UMD?</p>
<p>hi maryversity,</p>
<p>unfortunatley the results of my other college decisions were not good. I got waitlisted from cornell and upenn and rejected from duke northwestern and hopkins(absolutley heartbroken since this was my first choice.) umd is giving me the best fin aid package(which is not great but not that bad) so I am 99% sure that I am going to umd. I’m actually fine with it since undergrad doesn’t really matter and I am in the honors program. I guess things work out for a reason!!!</p>
<p>It’s a really good option. I think you will grow to love it. Which Honors program did you select?</p>
<p>Mr. Physics I’m sorry to hear about your other schools! I’m glad you’re feeling better about attending UMD, since it really is an awesome school. I’m in honors bioengineering too :)</p>
<p>I’ll be in ILS. Oceanicole, which honors are u in.</p>
<p>university honorss.</p>