Research Programs
Curricular Programs
1. Directed Studies (UBC)
Directed Studies courses allow UBC students in select departments to complete an individual research project under the supervision of a professor for course credit. Consult your department to determine your eligibility and to apply.
2. Honours Thesis (UBC)
UBC honours students complete an individual research project under the supervision of a professor in the final year of their degree. The project culminates in a written thesis and an oral defense. Successful completion earns you an “Honours” designation on your diploma. Consult your department for more information.
3. Co-op Program (UBC)
Co-op students spend 12-16 months working full-time in their field, receiving both a salary and course credit. Participating in co-op delays your undergraduate degree by a year but provides immersive experience in a research environment.
4. Research-intensive Courses (UBC Arts)
UBC arts students must successfully complete 3 credits in a research-intensive course to graduate. Research-intensive courses typically have prerequisites and are restricted to students in specific major programs.
http://students.arts.ubc.ca/advising/degree-requirements/writing-and-research-requirement/?login
5. Capstone Design Courses (UBC Applied Sciences)
UBC engineering students must complete a full-year capstone design course where they work in small teams to complete a project under the supervision of a faculty member and local industrial partner. Consult your department for more information.
6. SEEDS Sustainability Program (UBC)
UBC’s SEEDS (Social Ecological Economic Development Studies) Program allows students to participate in research projects related to campus sustainability for course credit. Students can get involved by enrolling in a SEEDS-associated course or by taking on a SEEDS project for their Directed Studies course or honours thesis.
Extracurricular Programs
1. Institutes and Centres (UBC)
UBC is affiliated with several research institutes, centres, organizations and hospitals, many of which are located on campus and contain research groups accepting undergraduate assistants or volunteers. Check if there’s anything related to your academic interests, and book a URO Office Hours appointment if you need help with your CV or letter of interest.
http://www.ubc.ca/our-campuses/vancouver/directories/institutes-centres.html
2. TAs and professors
Talk to your teaching assistants. They can connect you to labs, other graduate students and post-docs. Your instructors are another good resource. Visit departmental pages and read about current research projects. Prepare a few questions and arrange to talk to the professor during office hours. Don’t immediately hand over a resumé as though a job is available – you need to explore and learn, but your interests might eventually translate into a volunteer or even a paid position
3. Work Learn (UBC)
Work Learn positions are paid and provide an opportunity for UBC students to develop skills related to their studies. Many positions are research-related.
https://students.ubc.ca/career/campus-experiences/work-learn-program
4. Go Global Structured Research Abroad Programs (UBC)
These are non-credit, summer research programs that allow UBC students to conduct research at partner universities. Applications are competitive. Many applications require nomination from UBC’s Go Global office. Funding is available.
https://students.ubc.ca/career/international-experiences/research-abroad
5. RISE-Globalink Research Internship
Undergraduate students can receive $5200 to participate in a 3-month research project in biology, chemistry, engineering, earth science, or physics under the supervision of a doctoral student at a German university.
http://www.mitacs.ca/en/programs/globalink/rise-globalink-research-internship
6. Volunteer Internship Program (Forestry)
Forestry students can participate in an unpaid internship at UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest (MKRF) in Maple Ridge, B.C. or the Alex Fraser Research Forest (AFRF) in Williams Lake, B.C. This is an opportunity for forestry students to develop introductory field skills, including navigation, mensuration, and data collection.
http://www.afrf.forestry.ubc.ca/education/volunteer-internship-program/
7. Biomedical Engineering Student Team (UBC)
Join the Biomedical Engineering Student Team (BEST) and work on a therapeutic device that will be entered into a health-related technology design competition.
8. The Child & Family Research Institute (CFRI) Summer Student Research Program
From May-August, students work closely with a supervisor on a specific project and participate in a research education program in June-July which includes seminar series, workshops, events, and poster presentation
9. Canadian Blood Services: Undergraduate Research Program
The CBR Summer Studentship Program provides the students with an opportunity to get hands-on lab experience during the summer months and to present their research at the CBR Research Day. The CBR also enhances our summer students’ learning with research skills workshops, tours of campus facilities, and complementary social events.
http://cbr.ubc.ca/research-and-training/summer-studentship-program/
10. Inorganic Chemistry Exchange (ICE)
The Inorganic Chemistry Exchange program offers summer employment opportunities to undergraduate students in chemistry, who will have completed the equivalent of two or three full years of study as of May 2014. Up to 12 qualified candidates from across Canada will be awarded employment as a summer research assistant at an institution other than their own.
11. UBC Chemistry Research Opportunities and Internships
The UBC Chemistry department website lists updated opportunities for student research.
https://www.chem.ubc.ca/undergraduate-research-opportunities
12. Reactive Intermediates Student Exchange
RISE is a summer student exchange programme for undergraduate students in the chemical sciences, who will have completed the equivalent of two or three full years of study as of the end of the school year in which they apply. Successful applicants will be awarded summer employment in the research group of a RISE group member at one of the participating institutions (not their own), and a small travel allowance.
13. The SickKids Summer Research (SSuRe) Program
SSuRe provides opportunities for university students to conduct research in a laboratory or clinical setting at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) under the supervision of a Research Institute scientist.
14. The Mitacs Globalink Research Award
The Mitacs Globalink Research Award helps faculty members and students at Canadian universities to build an international research network and undertake 12 to 24 week research projects supervised by professors at accredited universities abroad.
https://www.mitacs.ca/en/programs/globalink/globalink-research-award
15. University of Toronto Institute of Medical Science: Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)
SURP provides an opportunity for undergraduate B.Sc. and medical students to become involved in projects relating to biomedical research. Projects range across a broad spectrum of disciplines, from molecular biology and cognitive science to clinical investigation and bioethics.
16. University of Toronto Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering: Undergraduate Summer Research Program (USRP)
The IBBME Undergraduate Summer Research Program is a 12- to 16-week program that presents an opportunity for students to work in a biomedical engineering research environment, on campus or at one of our partner hospitals. The opportunity is open to non-University of Toronto students.
http://www.ibbme.utoronto.ca/students/undergrad/summer-research/
17. University of Toronto: Banting and Best Diabetes Centre: Charles Hollenberg Summer Studentship Program
The goal of the program is to introduce undergraduate and medical students to the field of diabetes research and to encourage research in diabetes and its complications as a career.