The University of Texas at Dallas
close menu

Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Research Opportunities

UT Dallas offers a variety of research opportunities and resources. Research activities enhance analytical and critical thinking skills, which prepare undergraduates for the rigors of their profession or graduate studies.

UT Dallas strongly supports undergraduate research opportunities for students. Reasons to participate include (source: https://profiles.utdallas.edu/faq):

  • The best reason to participate in research is because you are fascinated by discovery and want to become part of that process! Of course, research experiences teach you new techniques and provide hands-on applications of concepts you’ve learned in class. 
  • But more importantly, conducting research requires you to develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, to work well both independently and as part of a collaborative team, and to enhance your scientific communication skills. If that all sounds amazing, research is for you!
  • It’s worth noting that there are also some good reasons not to participate in research. Obviously, if you aren’t that interested or don’t have the time, a URA position is not for you. But we also often hear from students who tell us that they “need” research experience for their graduate or medical school applications. This point is addressed in more detail below, but the truth is that unless you plan to apply to research-intensive PhD or MD/PhD programs, you don’t need research experience. If your primary motivation is resume-padding, but you are not actually invested in the research, you should look for other ways to strengthen your applications.

Students can begin their search, and perhaps find a great lab match by using Profiles, an information sharing tool which provides a centralized source of faculty profiling information to be consumed and utilized by other websites and services on campus.

Other great opportunities include:

Full-time Undergraduate Research Studentship (FURS) for Fall 2024.  FURS is for undergraduates in NSM wanting to pursue research-intensive careers upon graduation. Awardees will receive a stipend ($3000) to complete 12 research credits in the Fall semester. No other credits can be taken simultaneously. Awardees will work full-time in their assigned/chosen groups and participate in bi-weekly meetings to discuss career planning, communication, progress, etc. 

FURS will end with a research symposium. Applications for FURS are due by May 3rd, 2024.

The applicant must upload their transcript, answer 3 short questions, and list a faculty member for reference (no formal letter required).

Independent Research with an UTD faculty member.  This is the most common method to undertake independent research.  It is recommended that the student find out what research is being performed by checking the homepages of the faculty members in your chosen major.  Most tenure/tenure track faculty members at UTD maintain a homepage that lists projects being undertaken (check the appropriate Department page and generally under the faculty sidebar are a link to each faculty member).  Once research projects are found that interest the student, contact the faculty member directly, either through email or by showing up at their office.  Introduce yourself, explain why you are interested in their particular research projects, and ask if there are openings in their labs to accept an undergraduate researcher.  If a suitable position is found, download the NSM Independent Research form, have the faculty member sign the form, and then bring the form to the advising office to allow your advisor to register for the research course.  A student cannot register for a research course himself or herself, but must bring a signed form to the advising office.

  • The Green Fellowship with UT Southwestern Medical Center 
  • Green Fellowship.  The Green Fellowship is an undergraduate research program administered by UT Southwestern Medical School (UTSW).  Students accepted in the program will conduct medical research in the lab of a faculty member at the UT Southwestern campus.  Students will enroll in research credit hours at UTD, but will be working full-time in a lab on the UTSW campus for the spring semester.  Students will not be able to take additional classes at UTD during the spring semester other than the required research credits.  The eligibility for application, details about the program, and the application to be completed can be found at UTSW Green Fellows.

Summer Research Programs