RECEIVE COURSE CREDIT FOR YOUR RESEARCH THROUGH SRP-99
Enrolling in an SRP-99 course formalizes your research on your transcript and is an easy way to earn units for your work outside the classroom.
Many on-campus scholarships and funding opportunities require you to document your research through an independent research course (99, 196, 198, 199). Already having a few quarters of SRP-99 credit will make you a competitive applicant when applying for these scholarships.
Having research on your transcript may also be advantageous if you are applying to a graduate or professional school with a research requirement.
SRP-99 is ideal for entry-level research experiences that require up to 10 hours of work per week during the academic year. If your research project requires 10-20 hours of work per week, you should enroll in an upper division independent research course.
REGISTER AS A VOLUNTEER IF YOU ARE WORKING WITH A UCLA HEALTH SCIENCES FACULTY OR STAFF
The UCLA Health Sciences Volunteer Program provides on-boarding and clearances for invited students and other eligible individuals to participate in laboratory-based assignments, clinical research/quality improvement projects, administrative projects, and/or educational endeavored volunteer programs.
All students working with a UCLA Health Sciences Faculty or Staff are required to register. The Health Sciences Volunteer Program does not recruit students for research opportunities. Students must be invited by a Health Sciences Faculty or Staff prior to registration and participation in research activities.
In addition to registering with the Health Sciences Volunteer Program, students are required to take the following medical health questionnaires found here. The Animal Questionnaire is required for all personnel involved in the care and use of research animals, including those in DLAM, investigator staff/students, those who handle animal tissues, and all PIs and faculty sponsors of Animal Research Committee (ARC) protocols (regardless of whether they handle animals). All personnel who wear respirator protection (e.g N-95), must complete the Annual Respirator medical evaluation questionnaire.
COMPLETE YOUR REQUIRED SAFETY TRAINING(S)
UCLA Policy 906 : Undergraduate Researcher Laboratory Safety (Interim Policy) applies to all UCLA undergraduate researchers.
UCLA recognizes that undergraduate students participating in research projects may not have the scientific background, technical knowledge, or practical experience to engage safely in all research activities. As a result, additional safety requirements are necessary for some research activities and other activities that involve highly hazardous materials and/or conditions are prohibited.
Review the policy at your earliest convenience and consult with your faculty about what safety training(s) you are required to complete prior to beginning your research activities.
NOTE: Once registration is complete and you have received clearance from the Health Science Volunteer Program, please remember to stop by and pick up your volunteer badge at the Center for Health Sciences (CHS) Room 18-231.
APPLY TO RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS AND PROGRAMS
The URC-Sciences offers a number of competitive research scholarships and programs. Many programs also provide a professional & academic development component as well.
You should also check with your home department, the department you are doing research in, and the Scholarship Resource Center for other research funding opportunities.
CONSIDER ENROLLING IN AN UPPER DIVISION INDEPENDENT RESEARCH COURSE
Upper division research courses include courses 196 (research apprenticeships), 198 (honors thesis research), and 199 (directed independent research) These courses are only open to students with Junior and Senior standing. These courses are administered by the department that offers them but not all departments offer every course. Each department sets their own eligibility, pre-requisite requirements, and grading structure for these courses. For more information, you should contact an academic counselor or student affairs officer in the department you are interested in taking one of these courses.