ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
Getting Started
Students seeking hands-on experience can use these tips to begin the process of navigating the world of research at Villanova and beyond.
We generally recommend that future researchers connect with faculty in their academic home base. Visit your department’s website and find its directory of faculty members. Say you are a biology major. Here is what you will find for your department.
Browse the list of faculty profiles and make note of publications, research projects or labs (if applicable) that intrigue you.
Draft a quick email to this faculty member (or members). Here is an example to get you started:
Dear Professor Wildcat,
I am a rising sophomore who recently declared a major in biology. Last semester, I learned about A [topic, breakthrough, innovative approach, application, etc.] in B class. I am eager to learn more about the fascinating work you have done in C area [research project, lab work, etc.]. Could we find a time to chat?
Sincerely,
Diligent Student
Find a time to meet with the faculty member. Add the day, time and location to your calendar. Spend some time preparing for this informal meeting by drafting questions you might ask. Always have questions at the ready as this demonstrates your interest and initiative! The professor will likely assume you are interested in working with them. If they do not broach the topic, ask how and when students typically get involved.
Send a short thank you note after your meeting. Be sure to include something you learned through your exchange and reiterate your interest in conducting research.
Resources
The Council on Undergraduate Research Registry
The purpose of this registry is to facilitate matchmaking between undergraduates who have research experience, and a desire to pursue an advanced degree, with graduate schools seeking high quality students who are well prepared for research.
Any undergraduate may fill out a curriculum vitae form and obtain additional information.
- Anthropology/Archaeology
- Arts/Humanities
- Biology/Biochemistry
- Business
- Chemistry/Biochemistry
- Economics
- Education
- Engineering
- English and Linguistics
- Environmental Studies
- Geosciences
- Health Professions
- History
- Journalism and Communications
- Mathematics/Computer Science
- Physics/ Astronomy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Sociology
Responsible Conduct for Research
All Fall and Spring undergraduate research students are required to self-enroll in the Responsible Conduct of Research for Undergraduate Research course on Blackboard using Villanova credentials. Instructions on self-enrollment can be downloaded below.
Students are required to view training videos from the Summer 2015 RCR workshop and certify that they have viewed and understand the training. Undergraduate researchers are also required to complete the CITI RCR course, administered through the Office of Research Administration.
All summer undergraduate research students are required to attend the Responsible Conduct of Research workshop, to be held each June.
Beckman Scholars Program
In 2017 Villanova became one of the eleven institutional recipients of the Beckman Scholars Program Award. Over the next three years, five Villanova undergraduates majoring in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Geography and the Environment, or Environmental Science will be selected to be Beckman Scholars.
The grant will support undergraduate students for 18 months while they perform faculty-mentored undergraduate research. Each student receiving a Beckman Fellowship will receive $18,200 to support research in two summers and the intervening academic year. Additional financial support is provided for research supplies and conference travel. The program is open to current 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students (first-year students, sophomores, and juniors).
The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation is a nonprofit foundation established for the purpose of supporting basic scientific research, primarily in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry and medicine. In 1997, the Beckman Foundation initiated the Beckman Scholars Program to support the research potential of outstanding undergraduate students in these fields. Each year, the Beckman Foundation invites universities within the United States to apply, and selects approximately 10-12 universities to provide continuous 18 month support to exceptional undergraduate students. Additional information