Guide to Research for Undergraduates
From Little t
Important Links:
UROH: http://uroh.caltech.edu/index.html
SFP (SURF): http://www.sfp.caltech.edu/
Contents |
[edit] Why Do Research?
So research is the general term for how we advance scientific knowledge. Theoretically its something you inherently want to be doing if you've come to Caltech because you want to be a scientist. Adding to sum of human knowledge can be quite enjoyable and rewarding.
Doing research at Caltech as a UG is a valuable experience if you're thinking about an academic career / applying to graduate school. It will give you a taste of what going into a doctoral program will entail, and the whole research professor thing. It also looks good as a credential when applying the graduate school. Caltech's challenging coursework and research experiences puts you closer to what graduate school is like than probably any other UG school.
Doing research also enables you to meet faculty, postdocs, grad students, etc. that are interested in the same topics you are. Thus getting into research while at Caltech expands your contact network when it comes time to look for post-UG academic or industry opportunities. Most students would also like to get a positive reference out of their mentor for their grad school applications.
[edit] What to expect
For first time researchers at Caltech, even if you have research experience from high school, the process for finding a lab to work in may seem daunting. But, this is Caltech where there are many labs and a small student body.
Caltech is advertised as a school with a lot of research 'opportunities.' This is quite true, there's a ton of research going on here. But you cannot expect a project to be handed to you in your lap. Caltech is the real world, faculty are very busy with their research, and you have to actively pursue a project to obtain one.
A SURF is an excellent way to be exposed to research, starting with the grant-seeking process to get funding and finishing with the presentation of your findings to your peers.
You probably won't be able to finish a project in 10 weeks.
Your relationship with your faculty mentor will be dependent on the quality/independence of your work and mostly the amount of time they have available (which is usually very little).
[edit] Timetables
[edit] Summer Research
SURF Proposals are due to the SFP office late February. So you need to have your project fully settled and the 2-3 page proposal written by then. You also need a recommendation letter from a professor (not your mentor) and an additional professor/grad/postdoc.
Unfortunately, you will be competing with all of the other UGs seeking research opportunities, as well as non-Caltech students, so the earlier you can start searching the better. It's hard to find time amongst all the homework, but most students find their research project in January, but students are starting to look in December and November. Non-freshmen have the advantage that they can arrange with the professor they've worked with previously to work with them again.
[edit] Thesis
Each option has different systems for doing a thesis (See Units below). Typically you register for a 'thesis course' which will last the whole year and you have to submit a paper and give a presentation in the third term.
Obviously registration is third term junior year, but it's fine if you're not sure if you have a thesis project by then. Like any other class you can register it before add day of first term, but obviously the more weeks you have to work on it the better.
Note: theses are not necessarily required to be senior year, you may be able to do it junior year
[edit] Other
School-year research or other non-time-structured research just needs to be coordinated with you and the professor. If you want research units you need to have made your decision by add day.
BUSAC has a page with lots of useful advice which has been somewhat transferred into this page but the original is here.
[edit] How to Find Research
There's plenty of research going on at Caltech (and those other research institutions). The first search is the most difficult, since upperclassmen will already have faculty relationships (if they made an effort to previously).
Various ways of meeting professors and learning about Caltech research are detailed below. The following websites list research being done at Caltech:
When you see things you like, the next step is to go talk to professors (or postdocs and grad students) doing the research you're interested in.
[edit] How to Meet Professors
Faculty are those older people standing in front of the blackboards during lecture. They're doing some amazing research and most of them are quite interesting individuals (but not all of them are interesting or want to talk to you).
Seminars are a good way to learn about research going on. Most divisions have a weekly seminar, and most options have a seminar (pizza) class. Both only take up about 1 hour a week. The Seminar Courses are listed below in Units
Seminars:
[edit] Supported Events
- MOSH option teas - "Each year the MOSH hosts several “option” teas at her house in the winter and spring terms. These introduce freshmen to faculty and upper-class students in their proposed area or areas of study. Students learn about specific research opportunities and meet many of the people they will work and study with over the next few years. Freshmen should look for a directory email in early January asking them to send their option choices so that they will receive an invitation to the appropriate tea."
- MOSH/ARC Faculty lunches - "Students on the Academic and Research Committee (ARC) of ASCIT, with the assistance of the MOSH, organize a series of student-faculty lunches in the undergraduates houses. These take place during the fourth, seventh, and ninth weeks of each term. Announced to all undergraduates via email."
- Take-a-Prof-to-Lunch - "This program is run out of ASCIT. One or more students are reimbursed (up to $15 per person) for hosting a favorite professor at a local restaurant or the Athenaeum. Contact ASCIT for more details."
- Option-coordinated events - such as BUSAC socials, more examples and explanation needed
[edit] Misc
- Invite/talk with Faculty at House dinners or events
- Go to your professor's office hours. They offer them because they're willing to talk to you, take advantage of it!
- Ask upperclassmen
- RAs are good resources if you're desperate, they can recommend profs to you or you to profs or both
- Stop by their office. If they're not busy they may be happy to talk to you (remember you're both people that like science!)
[edit] Steps
[edit] Contacting Professors
Find or e-mail professors whose labs appeal to you, letting them know that you are interested in doing a SURF in their lab and would like more information. Contact many professors; if multiple professors respond back to you then you will have more options. A lot of them just do not respond to e-mails. And those you decide not to work with will not be offended. If there is a particular professor who does not respond to you but you would really like to work with him/her, then go to his/her office and schedule and appointment. In your initial e-mail to the professors you may want to send them a CV to demonstrate that you are qualified for working with them. If you have researched in the past, highlight your experience and skills. However, you do not need to have prior research experience; many professors are willing to accept people who have never researched before. They basically want to know your interest level, lab, relevant coursework, and activities you have participated in/traits that you have that make you a good candidate for working in the lab.
[edit] Scheduling a Meeting
Once a professor responds to your e-mail, schedule a meeting with him/her, giving at least three times when you are available to meet with him/her. Also, ask if there is any background reading you need to do.
[edit] Meeting with the Professor
Ask questions! Try to find out what people in his/her lab do—specific projects they are working on. You will most likely be working with a postdoc or graduate student so make sure the postdocs and graduate students are doing work that interests you. Ask what kinds of expectations the professor has of students working in his/her lab and gauge what the working environment is like. Find out about the project that you could work on over summer, either from the professor or from a graduate student/postdoc the professor directs you to
[edit] Follow Up Contact
When you have identified the lab that you want to be in, e-mail the professor who runs that lab. Verify who you will be working with, and contact him/her right away. Schedule a meeting to gather information for your proposal. Starting early on the proposal will allow you and your mentor/co-mentor to proof it a couple of times. Also, contact the other professors you met with to thank them for their time and inform them (politely of course—you may take a class with them and/or want to work in their lab at a later time) that you are not interested in doing a SURF in their lab this summer after all.
[edit] Online Resources
Research and coordinating research in the real world inherently requires social interaction so it is recommended that you develop these skills while at Caltech. That being said, you can conduct much of your search using websites and email.
The GSC takes an exit survey for professor lab reviews, which you can view here: GSC Lab Reviews
You can use the list of SURFs from previous years to learn about previous undegrad research projects. Its quite useful for finding upperclassmen to ask about research groups. Last year's SURFs
You can use the research topics link in How to Find Research or find professors' group web pages manually: http://www.caltech.edu/
[edit] Announcements of Opportunity
Faculty can post available research opportunities on these websites. UROH is intended for school-year research as opposed to SURF.
[edit] Outside Caltech
When applying for research or internships outside of Caltech, be clear about your interests and ensure that your position is guaranteed. Sometimes funding falls through or there is a miscommunication and both your and the lab's time is wasted. There are opportunities through the division clubs on campus (such as the biotech club) for you to distribute your resume' throughout the year. Be sure to keep your ears open for any companies or labs that will be visiting to discuss their research.
[edit] JPL
MechEs more than any other option pursue research at JPL, there's simply more opportunities for them there.
SFP holds an info-session in January
More information needed
[edit] Medical
HMRI - Huntington Medical Research Institute consists of various labs that are local to the Pasadena area. Several of the researchers who work in these labs have close ties to Caltech. If the lab you are interested in cannot fund you, and you cannot arrange for a SURF, they might have other ideas of where you can apply to get money. A list of research programs that are available through HMRI and information relevant to students who wish to apply to the 10 week research program.
City of Hope- The City of Hope hospital offers additional research opportunities, unrelated to the preceptorship they offer, relevant to its medical fields. Students who are accepted will receive $4000 for 10 weeks of work on a project in a field of their choosing. There are opportunities to participate in various workshops related to medicine (e.g. biomedical ethics), research presentations, and other science-related issues. The website for general research and specifically, more information about the for high school and college students can be found here.
There are other interesting research opportunities through national programs, such as the American Heart Associationand (second link) that you can use to sponsor your work in a local lab or somewhere else. You just need to search for these large groups early on in the year, as the deadlines for their applications vary.
[edit] How to Get Supported
Once you have an adviser, now the decision needs to be made with your advisor as to how your research will be supported. The most common method is a summer SURF grant. There are many other nationally available undergraduate research grants. These grants will cover your salary but often not all the lab expenses you will incur. The easiest option is units, which may help you towards your degree. And the last option, if your professor is willing, is direct salary pay by the professor's budget.
[edit] SURF
By far the most popular method of getting research support at Caltech. As long as you've found a project and an adviser has agreed to take you on, then your proposal will be approved. You'll receive a salary of $6000 for the summer which comes from SFP's budget and donations. Caltech Housing will cost you about $1500 for the summer, and then there's food and other living expenses.
What you need to do as an applicant
Application for Caltech students
[edit] Writing the Proposal
First, be sure to read any background papers necessary for the comprehension of your experiment. Take some time to look over the SURF proposal guidelines before starting. Also, don't be afraid to ask for help. The Hixon Writing Center is a wonderful resource. The people there are always more than happy to lend their assistance. They can work on getting the paper started or review it. Finally, be sure to write your proposal well in advance. You should be able to give your mentor plenty of time to look over it and recommend any changes s/he feels are necessary.
[edit] Recommendations
You do not need to get your recommendations from professors and TAs who teach option classes. Core classes are totally acceptable. Do not be afraid to ask people to write you a letter; just make sure that you provide them with your CV and talk to them about why you are qualified for doing a SURF. If they do not feel they can write you an adequate letter, they will tell you.
[edit] Other Grants
Amgen - "Caltech's Amgen Scholars program provides students the opportunity to conduct research in biology, chemistry, and bio-technical related fields under the guidance of seasoned research mentors. The program offers students interested in pursuing a PhD or MD/PhD a great opportunity to experience the research process." -
NASA Space Grant - "is a national consortium that strengthens colleges and universities with interests and capabilities in aeronautics, space science and technology, and related fields and encourages cooperative programs among colleges, universities, business, and federal, state, and local governments."
SFP lists them here: http://www.sfp.caltech.edu/
George W. Housner Student Discovery Fund - "to enhance the academic experience of undergraduate students at Caltech through its support of scholarly activities such as:
1. Research that is distinct from the SURF program, although continuations of SURF projects qualify.
2. Scholarly activities, such as undertaken by clubs and organizations with a technical theme.
3. Travel to conferences, especially to present results of research.
4. Independent study, including travel.
5. Development and teaching of original courses, if a system for offering such courses by undergraduates is put into place."
Note: This is a good resource for seniors who are not eligible for SURFs. Be sure not to tie this to a SURF in your proposal as this is not meant to supplement the SURF program.
[edit] NSF
There's some more grants listed here: NSF Funding
Probably the most popular NSF grant:
REU - "The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation."
[edit] Pay
This is when your professor already has enough budget to cover you and directly pays your salary. Essentially you're being paid for by a research grant the professor already obtained instead of one of the grants specifically designed for undergraduates to apply to.
[edit] Work Study
This is where the federal government pays 3/4 of your salary and your employer pays only 1/4. Talk with the Financial Aid office to see you if you qualify. Professors are much more willing to offer pay if you can qualify for work study.
[edit] Units
The other way to be reimbursed for your time is units. Some courses require approval of an option officer or committee, otherwise you can just register the course like normal. Ideally units go towards your graduation, either as part of your degree requirement or substituting a degree requirement, thus enabling you to take less classes and actually have time for research.
[edit] APh
APh 78 - Experimental Senior Thesis, (9 units) requires 'written report based upon actual laboratory experience.' Also the 'selection of topic and the final report must be approved by the Applied Physics Undergraduate Committee' (Who is that?). Can be used to satisfy the senior lab requirement (So you save 18 units while doing 27). If you're doing more than 9 units a term you can register for APh 100. You can also avoid the E 11 requirement if you do some additional writing work (I guess ask the committee how to do that).
APh 79 - Theoretical Senior Thesis, (9 units) similar to APh 78, but doesn't satisfy any requirements.
APh 100 - Advanced Work in Applied Physics, (X units) general research units, doesn't satisfy any requirements.
[edit] Biology
Bi 2 - Current Research in Biology, seminar class (6 units) "First term. Intended for students considering the biology option; open to freshmen." Does not satisfy any requirements.
Bi 22 - Undergraduate Research - (X units) "to be arranged with instructors before registration." 12 units count towards the laboratory requirement, after that the units count towards bio electives.
Bi 90 - Undergraduate Thesis (12+ units) "Normally involves three or more consecutive terms of work in the junior and senior years." Catalog says first two terms are P/F and third one is on grades, but you can P/F third term and still get credit for the writing requirement (Bi 24). Registrar requires you to email option rep to get approval for writing req credit. No explicit req for papers, etc.: up to the discretion of research mentor.
[edit] Chemistry
Ch 10 - Frontiers in Chemistry (ab terms 3 units, c term 8 units) "Open for credit to freshmen and sophomores. Ch 10 ab is a weekly seminar by a member of the chemistry department on a topic of current research; the topic will be presented at an informal, introductory level. The other weekly session will acquaint students with the laboratory techniques and instrumentation used on the research topics. Ch 10 c is a research-oriented laboratory course, which will be supervised by a chemistry faculty member." c term satisfies 1 laboratory course requirement.
Ch 80 - Chemical Research - "Experimental and theoretical research requiring a report containing an appropriate description of the research work." Does this satisfy any requirements?
Ch 82 - Senior Thesis Research (9 units) "Three terms of Ch 82 are to be completed during the junior and/or senior year of study....At the time of registering for the first term of Ch 82, the candidate will submit a short (five pages) proposal delineating his/her project for approval by the research mentor and the Chemistry Curriculum and Undergraduate Studies Committee (CUSC).....The candidate will present a short progress report at the end of each of the first two terms....a thesis of approximately 20 pages will be presented to the mentor and the CUSC at the end of the third term of Ch 82. An oral thesis defense will be arranged by the CUSC. The thesis must be approved by both the research mentor and the CUSC....Upon approval by the research mentor and the CUSC, the Ch 91 requirement for graduation may be satisfied by the written thesis and the progress reports from the first two quarters of Ch 82." I think you talk to Professor Lester for CUSC approval. Does this satisfy any requirements?
[edit] CS
CS 80 - Senior Thesis (9 units) "Prerequisite: instructor’s permission, which should be obtained during the junior year to allow sufficient time for planning the research. Written report required." Talk to your adviser. Satisfies the project course requirement.
CS 81 - Undergraduate Laboratory in Computer Science (X units) "Consent of both research adviser and course supervisor required before registering. Supervised experimental research in computer science by undergraduates. Topic must be approved by the supervisor, and a formal final report must be presented on completion of research.", Does this count for any requirement?
CS 90- Undergraduate Research in Computer Science same as CS 81 except replace the word 'Laboratory' with 'Research', may be applied towards the 36 units in Ma, ACM, or CS requirement or 18 units in EAS or Ma requirement for the CS option. May not be applied towards the project requirement or the 63 CS units over CS 114 requirement.
CS 102 - Seminar in Computer Science. " 3, 6, or 9 units as arranged with the instructor. Instructor’s permission required.", may be applied towards the 36 units in Ma, ACM, or CS requirement or 18 units in EAS or Ma requirement for the CS option. May not be applied towards the project requirement or the 63 CS units over CS 114 requirement.
CS 103 - Reading in Computer Science " 3, 6, or 9 units as arranged with the instructor. Instructor’s permission required.", may be applied towards the 36 units in Ma, ACM, or CS requirement or 18 units in EAS or Ma requirement for the CS option. May not be applied towards the project requirement or the 63 CS units over CS 114 requirement.
[edit] EE
EE 80 - Senior Thesis (9 units) "Prerequisite: instructor’s permission, which should be obtained during the junior year to allow sufficient time for planning the research. Written report required." I think you to talk to Professor Potter. This actually is an option requirement.
EE 99 - Advanced Work in Electrical Engineering (X units) general research units, does not satisfy any requirements
EE 105 - Electrical Engineering Seminar (1 unit)
[edit] GPS
Ge 41 - Undergraduate Research and Bachelor’s Thesis (X units) "Guidance in seeking research opportunities and in formulating a research plan leading to preparation of a bachelor’s thesis is available from the division undergraduate research counselors, Professors Rossman and Kirschvink." Does this satisfy any requirements?
Ge 10 - Frontiers in Geological and Planetary Sciences (3 units) second term. "The course may be taken multiple times. Weekly seminar by a member of the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences or a visitor to discuss a topic of his or her current research at an introductory level. The course is designed to introduce students to research and research opportunities in the division and to help students find faculty sponsors for individual research projects."
[edit] MechE
E 2 - Frontiers in Engineering and Applied Science (1 unit) "first term. Open for credit to freshmen and sophomores. Weekly seminar by a member of the EAS faculty to discuss his or her area of engineering and group’s research at an introductory level. The course can be used to learn more about different areas of study within engineering and applied science." Don't think this satisfies any requirements.
ME 90 - Senior Thesis, Experimental (9 units) "The topic selection is determined by the adviser and the student and is subject to approval by the Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Committee. First and second terms: midterm progress report and oral presentation during finals week. Third term: completion of thesis and final presentation. The second and third terms may be used to fulfill laboratory credit for EAS."
ME 91 - Senior Thesis, Analytical. same as ME 90 except it doesn't count towards anything
ME 100 - Advanced Work in Mechanical Engineering "The faculty in mechanical engineering will arrange special courses on problems to meet the needs of qualified undergraduate students. Graded pass/fail for research and reading. A written report is required for each term."
ME 110 - Special Laboratory Work in Mechanical Engineering "3–9 units per term; maximum two terms. Special laboratory work or experimental research projects may be arranged by members of the faculty to meet the needs of individual students as appropriate. A written report is required for each term of work." Does this satisfy any requirements?
ME 150 - Mechanical Engineering Seminar (1 unit)
[edit] Physics
Total of 9 units from Ph 17X may be used, and 18 units from Ph 78 experimental thesis may be used towards requirements. "No more than 9 units of Ph 171–173 may apply toward this (the 90 elective units) requirement without permission from the Physics Undergraduate Committee."
Ph 10 - Frontiers in Physics- (3 units) "first term. Open for credit to freshmen and sophomores. Weekly seminar by a member of the physics department or a visitor, to discuss his or her research at an introductory level; the other class meetings will be used to explore background material related to seminar topics and to answer questions that arise. The course will also help students find faculty sponsors for individual research projects." Doesn't satisfy any requirements.
Ph 11- Research Tutorial- "A small number of students will be offered the opportunity to enroll in this tutorial, the purpose of which is to demonstrate how research ideas arise, and are evaluated and tested, and how those ideas that survive are developed. This is accomplished by doing individual, original projects. There will be weekly group meetings and individual tutorial meetings with the instructor. Support for summer research at Caltech between the freshman and sophomore years will be automatic for those students making satisfactory progress." Doesn't satisfy any requirements.
If you like thinking outside of the box, this is the class for you. To get into the course, you must turn in interesting solutions to two 'hurdles', which are random problems that may or may not be related to physics. And yes, turning solutions to the Ph 11 hurdles is more important than your Ma1a set-- Professor Tombrello (the main Ph11 professor) is always happy to help out former Ph 11 students in any way he can, and some students even think there's a tendency for physics professors to think that you must not be a good physics student if you did not take Ph 11.
Ph 78 - Senior Thesis, Experimental.- "To register for this course the student must obtain approval of the chair of the Physics Undergraduate Committee (Ed Stone). Open only to senior physics majors. This research must be supervised by a faculty member, the student’s thesis adviser. Laboratory work is required for this course. Two 15-minute presentations to the Physics Undergraduate Committee are required, one at the end of the first term and the second at the midterm week of the third term. The written thesis must be completed and distributed to the committee one week before the second presentation." Can be used to satisfy the senior lab requirement.
Ph 79 - Senior Thesis, Theoretical. - same as Ph 78 except replace the word 'Experimental' with 'Theoretical', may be counted towards the 90 unit elective requirement.
"Note: Students wishing assistance in finding an adviser and/or a topic for a senior thesis are invited to consult with the chair of the Physics Undergraduate Committee, or any other member of this committee." The committee chair is Ed Stone by the way.
'Ph 171 - Reading and Independent Study (X units) "Occasionally, advanced work involving reading, special problems, or independent study is carried out under the supervision of an instructor. Approval of the instructor and of the student’s departmental adviser must be obtained before registering." This is kind of like the tutorial system at Cambridge, it's pretty sweet.
Ph 172 - Research in Experimental Physics (X units), up to 9 units of Ph 171-173 make count towards the 90 elective units
Ph 173 - Research in Theoretical Physics (X units)
[edit] Doing Research
[edit] Starting in the Lab
You may want to start working in your lab 3rd term so that by the time your SURF officially starts, you will know your way around and have learned basic techniques. Plus if this is really something you are enthusiastic about, why not start as soon as you can? Talk it over with your mentor/co-mentor before registering for 3rd term.
[edit] During Summer
Touch base with your mentor and co-mentor, letting them know of your progress and asking them for help when you encounter difficulty. Check whether you are accomplishing the goals you set out to accomplish, and make new goals as you get more familiar with your project. Attend lab meetings and try to get experience talking about your research by presenting your findings at a lab meeting; it will prepare you for the final SURF talk. Other fun things to do over summer include joining SURFSAC and planning activities, going to SURFSAC planned activities (dinners with professors, ice cream socials, movies), attending lunch seminars to learn more about research in other fields, and going to career workshops.
[edit] After Reserach
You can submit your final paper to the Caltech Undergraduate Research Journal (CURJ).
[edit] Resources
[edit] Library
Caltech Library Services subscribes to and owns thousands of resources. It can be daunting figuring out which ones are right for your research. Caltech librarians can provide invaluable help pinpointing the right databases, articles, journals and books. Schedule an appointment with a librarian who will show you how to find what you need; Ask a Librarian has a complete listing of librarians with their email contacts.
The library also offers workshops throughout the school year on many of its databases. For instance, in the Web of Knowledge class, you can learn how to search scholarly literature, improve your article-retrieval skills, and how to export records into EndNote. The library advertises its classes on its website.
And don’t forget your house librarians! You can go to them with any library-related questions, big or small. Librarians and their house affiliations are listed here;click the "house librarian" tab. library.caltech.edu is the general library email address, and 626-395-3404 is the number for the reference desk at the Sherman Fairchild Library, staffed M-Fri, 9-5.
One last thing: a new undergraduate guide to library resources.
[edit] General Advice
[edit] Notes from Students
- The most important thing is that if you want to get a SURF you have to work for it. If a professor doesn't respond by e-mail, call him. If that doesn't work, try to meet him in person via asking his secretary how you can meet him, going to a class he teaches, or going to any office hours he holds. Sometimes, your ability to find and talk to a professor despite his inability to answer email promptly is the requirement for researching with that professor.
- It's best to be able to find a research group early that you can stay with for 2-3 years which is the amount of time needed to be competent enough in the lab and field to pursue and answer your own research questions. Typically, you spend your first few months just figuring out how things work before being given your own problem. Don't be afraid to switch groups if you don't like what you're doing.
- Don't be surprised if you have to send a lot of emails. If a professor turns you down, ask him if he can send you a list of other professors he knows are looking for SURF students.
- Don't worry if you don't feel you can come up with your own project. Most SURF's start by you finding a prof whose research you like and they propose some projects you can choose from. You should have a general idea of what you want to do though.
- The science is important, but the lab environment is important too. If you have the luxury of choosing between two or more lab groups that all do research you like, try attending a few group meetings. Are the grad students happy? Serious? A little crazy? The personality of the grad students, the atmosphere at group meetings, and other hard-to-define cues all indicate what kind of personality thrives in that lab.
[edit] Notes from Faculty
- You should be looking for research because you're interested in a topic and want to answer questions and commit time to problems, not because you just want to add to your CV.
- Don't be afraid of topics, clearly not everyone doing research knew everything about their field when they started.
- Rather than performing all of your correspondence online, it can be valuable experience for students to have to walk up to professors' doors.
- One reason faculty may not post their open reserach positions online is that Non-Caltech students flood these postings, and generally professors would like to take on Caltech students over Non-Caltech students.
[edit] How to Find Time for Research
- Do it in the summer
- Take less classes, you don't need 54, or even 45 units a term to graduate
- Find out if you can substitute research units for a lab or other graduation requirement. A lot of these are listed above in Units
