Why is undergraduate research so important?

Mom2aphysicsgeek
Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:24:53 +0000

I am not sure “fun” is an actual descriptor for UG research. Interesting and hard work are more likely descriptors from my sons’ experiences. Help setting up lab equipment, recording data, writing computer programs for data crunching, working with a professor to understand the project, etc are their real life experiences.

My kids have learned huge amts in their UG research experiences. Depending on the child and the projects, they have studied everything from impacts of environment on concrete, to graphene, radon, and neutrinos. One of the advantages to participating in UG research earlier on is that you have more time to become familiar with the project, develop the appropriate skills, and increase your ability to function at a higher level within the project.

FWIW, coding has been a huge part of my ds’s UG research at UA. He has had to master several different languages.

Another FWIW, I am not sure it is “nowadays.” My dh participated in UG research way back when. My oldest ds graduated from high school in 2007 and it was vital to him. Both dh and that ds are chemEs. Youngest ds wants to pursue a phD in physics. UG research is extremely important to him and his career goals. (UG research, in addition to coursework, really helps students explore various fields within their desired objectives in order to research grad schools accordingly.)