There are many amazing opportunities to do research at UAB. Here are a few ways to get involved.
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COURSES
All courses that have been identified as "undergraduate research" courses incorporate research and scholarly work as a major teaching method and help prepare you to conduct scholarly activity in your area of study.
Interested in finding and enrolling in an official undergraduate research course? Check the latest class schedule for up-to-date availability.
- Select the semester you're interested in and click the submit button.
- Choose undergraduate research courses by selecting it in the Attribute Type box (near the bottom of the page).
Important: Meet with your advisor prior to enrolling, since many have prerequisites or minimum GPA requirements.
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FINDING MENTORS
The following resources can help you learn about faculty and their research interests (not limited to UAB faculty).
- Find specific types of research and look at Faculty Profiles at Scholars @ UAB.
- UAB News Experts Guide — A large searchable list of UAB researchers which can be sorted by name or area of expertise.
- School of Medicine Directory — A searchable list of UAB researchers/faculty in the School of Medicine.
- Graduate Biomedical Sciences (GBS) themes — List of interdisciplinary thematic programs in the Biomedical Sciences. While GBS is a graduate program, you can use this site to contact faculty who can identify potential mentors.
- Undergraduate research opportunities in the UAB Department of Chemistry — Information about how to sign up for research through the Chemistry Department.
- Research Areas in the UAB Department of Psychology — A list of research areas that list associated faculty.
- Research opportunities in the UAB Department of Biology — Research and internship opportunities with Biology faculty.
- Web Guide to Research for Undergraduates (WebGURU) — Provides undergraduates interested in or currently participating in undergraduate research experiences in STEM with information and links to reliable electronic resources on all aspects of the undergraduate research experience.
- ResearchMatch.org (not-for-profit website) — brings together researchers and people who are willing to learn more about research studies in a secure and convenient manner.
- The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) — focus on providing undergraduate research opportunities for faculty and students at predominantly undergraduate institutions. CUR believes faculty members enhance their teaching and contribution to society by remaining active in research and by involving undergraduates in research.
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SUMMER PROGRAMS
Summer research programs give students the opportunity to have an immersive research experience that might not be possible during the school year.
UAB Summer Opportunities
- Blazer BRAIN
- Blazing to Biomedical Careers: A Bridges to the Baccalaureate Degree Program
- Center for Nanoscale Materials and Biointegration REU
- Cystic Fibrosis Summer Research Program (CF SURP)
- CRISP - Cancer Research Immersion Student Program
- Diversity in Cancer Research (DICR)
- KURE (Kidney Undergraduate Research Program)
- McNair Scholar’s Program
- PARAdiGM
- SIBS - Summer in Biomedical Sciences
Non-UAB Summer Opportunities
Compiled List of Research Programs
- AAMC Summer Undergraduate Research Programs
- NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
- Fellowships and Summer Research List — Duke University (see the list of non-Duke opportunities)
- Research in the Life Sciences Opportunities — Rochester Institute of Technology
- American Society for Investigative Pathology (ASIP)
- Biomedical and Pre-Medical Research Opportunities
- Harvard Amgen Scholars
- HudsonAlpha BioTrain Summer Internships
- Pathways to Science Summer Research Opportunities
- The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) — Undergraduate Scholar Awards and Upcoming Opportunities for Students
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PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITIES
After presenting your research, taking the steps to publish or present at a conference shows a serious commitment to advancement in your field. Undergraduate research journals and conferences provide excellent opportunities to distributes your research results.
UAB Publications
- Inquiro — For undergraduates, produced by undergraduates. Students who have conducted scientific research at UAB or another university are eligible to submit their work for publication. Students may also submit cover art.
- Aura Literary Arts Review — A student literary arts journal produced by UAB students. It publishes poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, and visual artwork.
- Vulcan Historical Review — An award-winning annual student-published History journal. It is sponsored by UAB's Chi Omicron chapter of the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society and the UAB Department of History. Submissions of articles, book reviews, and film reviews on historical topics are welcome from any UAB undergraduate or graduate student, as well as alumni.
- Sanctuary — A student-led literary and arts journal; all students on the editorial board are from the UAB. Sanctuary is a way for honors students in the Southeast to showcase their artistic talent. Gain some recognition and see your work published in a physical book!
Other Publications
- Journal of Young Investigators — Its mission is to improve undergraduate science training by providing innovative, high-quality educational experiences in science writing, publication, and the peer-review process.
- UReCA: The NCHC Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity — Fosters the exchange of intellectual and creative work between undergraduate students, providing a platform where students can engage with and contribute to the advancement of their individual fields. Students from any university can submit creative or research works. year-long editorial positions are also available to students enrolled in an honors program or college that is a member of NCHC.
- Reinvention: An International Journal of Undergraduate Research — An online, peer-reviewed journal, dedicated to the publication of high-quality undergraduate student research. It welcomes academic articles from all disciplinary areas and all universities. Reinvention is published bi-annually and only houses papers written by undergraduate students or papers written collaboratively by undergraduate students and academics.
- Other lists of undergraduate publishing opportunities:
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PRESENTATION OPPORTUNITIES
American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting
As the largest gathering of Earth and space scientists in the world, AGU Fall Meetings aim to bring a diverse and relevant set of topics to help move Earth and space science forward.
Categories: Earth, space science
American Medical Student Association (AMSA) Convention and Exposition
AMSA Annual Convention & Exposition brings together medical and premedical students from all around the world for a great chance of networking, building skills, explore new ideas, and to grow personally and professionally.
Categories: STEM disciplines
Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS)
The Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), recipient of the 2019 AIMBE Excellence in STEM Education Award, is one of the largest communities of underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Students attend this conference to present their research, enhance professional development skills, explore graduate schools, and network. Research faculty and program directors play an essential role in mentoring students and learning strategies for facilitating student success. During the four-day conference, over 2,875 students from over 350 colleges and universities participate in poster and oral presentations in twelve STEM disciplines. All undergraduate and postbaccalaureate student presentations are judged and those receiving the highest scores in each scientific discipline are given an award during the closing banquet.
Categories: STEM disciplines
*Eligibility: community college, undergraduate, or postbaccalaureate students from racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in biomedical research; first-generation college students
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) Convention
ABCT's annual convention brings the cognitive-behavioral community together to explore current developments in research and practice and to stimulate thinking about the myriad issues that surround CBT and how it intersects with other disciplines. While attending the annual meeting, in addition to networking with your peers, you will experience provocative speakers, professional development sessions, local culture, and face-to-face roundtables with mentors, colleagues, and luminaries.
Categories: Behavioral, cognitive sciences
Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting
You will want to be sure to reserve your seat for the learning, networking, and idea exchanges planned for the ever-changing world of biomedical engineering! You should expect timely content on technologies for emerging infectious disease, thought-provoking sessions on health disparities and racial justice, student and early career sessions, and fun and competitions! There will be a ton of new components to the meeting and the content you’re familiar with, from our in-person meetings like Meet the Faculty, the Bash, and the LGBTQIA mixer!
Categories: biomedical engineering
British Conference of Undergraduate Research (BCUR)
The British Conference of Undergraduate Research promotes undergraduate research in all disciplines. The Conference meets annually every Spring in a different British university. Undergraduates of all levels are invited to submit papers, posters, workshops and performances to the Conference. Abstracts are peer-reviewed and those accepted will be invited to attend the conference. Conference fees are usually paid by the student’s own university. BCUR also accepts submissions from students outside of the UK. The call for papers is usually published in the autumn.
Categories: all fields and disciplines
Butler University Undergraduate Research Conference (URC)
As one of the longest running and largest conferences of its kind, Butler University's Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) provides hundreds of presenters from around the country an opportunity to showcase their research and creative endeavors.
Categories: all disciplines
The Global Conference on Women and Gender
This interdisciplinary conference brings together participants from all academic fields to engage in wide-ranging conversations on gender and politics around the world. We encourage an expansive understanding of political action and expression, inspired by Carol Hanisch’s essay, “The Personal is Political,” which sees all relationships of power as political and connects women’s experiences, self-expression, and values to their lives as political actors and subjects.
Categories: all disciplines; art, history, philosophy, religious studies, sociology, psychology, environmental science, medicine, biomedical ethics, economics, political science, gender studies, communication studies and literature
Learn More: Global Conference on Women and Gender
Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research Symposium (GCURS)
The Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research Symposium (GCURS) is hosted annually by Rice University. GCURS provides current undergraduates the opportunity to present their original research discoveries to scholars from around the world. Not only does GCURS foster interdisciplinary, intercollegiate camaraderie, it offers an introduction to Houston, the fourth-largest and most diverse city in the nation.
Categories: STEM disciplines
National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)
The National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) is dedicated to promoting undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity in all fields of study by sponsoring an annual conference for students. Unlike meetings of academic professional organizations, this gathering of student scholars welcomes presenters from all institutions of higher learning and from all disciplines. Through this annual conference, NCUR creates a unique environment for the celebration and promotion of undergraduate student achievement; provides models of exemplary research, scholarship, and creative activity; and helps to improve the state of undergraduate education.
Categories: all fields and disciplines
Learn More: NCUR
National Collegiate Research Conference (NCRC)
NCRC is a large-scale, multidisciplinary forum held annually at Harvard University, where the most accomplished undergraduate students from across the United States and internationally convene each year to share their research in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The core vision behind this conference is to provide student researchers with the opportunity to hear from the world’s leading authorities in academia, policy, and industry, as well as to foster important exchanges and dialogue between students. Last year, after being selected through a competitive application process, over 200 participants from nearly 75 universities across America and abroad attended this conference. NCRC hopes to expand the perspective of undergraduate researchers through offering exposure to diverse fields and to facilitate the discourse on collaboration, leadership, and social impact in research that will be invaluable in future pursuits.
Categories: humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Symposium
This conference features presentations by students from Research Experiences for Undergraduates programs (REUs) in all disciplines funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), sessions for REU administrators and faculty, and opportunities to meet with representatives from NSF and other government agencies.
Categories: all fields and disciplines
*Eligibility: undergraduates from REU programs
The Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Research Symposium
The Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Research Symposium provides hundreds of students across all fields of the humanities the opportunity to share their work in the professional presentation style most common to their fields. Attendees also participate in professionalization and recruitment events during the three-day symposium.
Categories: humanities disciplines
Scholars Transforming Through Research (STR)
Each spring, the Council on Undergraduate Research hosts an annual undergraduate poster session on Capitol Hill. At this event and its related activities, members of Congress and their staff members learn about the importance of undergraduate research through talking directly with the student researchers involved in these programs.
Categories: arts and humanities, social sciences, life sciences, education, health sciences, engineering
Sigma Xi Student Research Conference
This conference will showcase emerging trends and challenges across a broad spectrum of science–art collaborations and explore how interdisciplinarity can advance scientific discoveries. Sessions will cover topics such as behavioral sciences, art therapy, neuroscience of aesthetic experience, data visualization, communicating science through arts, brain’s response to music, and innovative strategies for integrating arts in STEM education and research. The event virtually brings together cross-disciplinary thought leaders, artists, communicators, and innovators working at the intersections of arts, sciences, medicine, technology, engineering, mathematics, and education to provide complementary perspectives on how the convergence of arts and sciences affect new knowledge.
Categories: STEM, art, film disciplines
Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
The largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity event in the country, the SACNAS conference is a gathering which serves to equip, empower, and energize participants for their academic and professional paths in STEM. Over the course of the event, college-level through professional attendees are immersed in cutting-edge STEM research, professional development sessions, motivational keynote speakers, and the Graduate School & Career Expo Hall, as well as multicultural celebrations and traditions, and an inclusive and welcoming community of peers, mentors, and role models.
Categories: STEM disciplines
Society for Applied Anthropology
The Society for Applied Anthropology (SfAA) was founded in 1941 to promote the investigation of the principles of human behavior and the application of these principles to contemporary issues and problems. Since that time membership has expanded to over 2,000. The Society now sponsors two major journals (Human Organization and Practicing Anthropology) as well as a Monograph Series and occasional special publications. The Society has become the preeminent international organization in the field. The Society is unique among professional associations. In membership and purpose, it represents the interests of professionals in a wide range of work settings -- academia, business, law, health and medicine, public and government, etc.
Categories: anthropology, sociology, economics, business, planning, medicine, nursing, law, and other related social/behavioral sciences
Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting
Each year, scientists from around the world congregate to discover new ideas, share their research, and experience the best the field has to offer. Attend so you can: present research, network with scientists, attend session and events, and browse the exhibit hall. Join the nearly half a million neuroscientists from around the world who have propelled their careers by presenting an abstract at an SfN annual meeting — the premier global neuroscience event.
Categories: neuroscience disciplines
Southeastern Medical Scientist Symposium
SEMSS is an American Physician Scientists Association (APSA) regional meeting that brings together aspiring physician scientists from schools around the southeastern United States. This event is primarily organized and attended by MD, MD/PhD, and undergraduate students, with many opportunities for students to present their work. We feature outstanding plenary and keynote speakers, representing the best and newest ideas in fundamental, clinical, and translational science. We are proud of eight years of fostering a collaborative and interdisciplinary educational environment for biomedical science trainees within the region.
Categories: Biomedical/clinical sciences, biomedical engineering