Undergraduate Research Program

The purpose of the Undergraduate Research Program is to support undergraduate students currently conducting research in communicating and publishing their work. 

  • Percentage of 2022 graduating seniors who participated in research by graduation 25% 25%

About

The Undergraduate Research Program is a new initiative from the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science to develop first-in-class research opportunities that lead to undergraduates who are well-informed about engineering career opportunities in both academic and corporate settings.

UCLA Samueli boasts some of the world’s top researchers working at the forefront of technological innovation. In collaboration with multiple UCLA schools as well as universities around the globe, the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science is leading initiatives that have the potential to change our world.

URP has two programs – the academic year program and the summer program.

There are 8 peer advisors between UIP and URP. Get to know this year’s team of peer advisors here!

Program Components

URP spans the academic year and consists of several workshops and activities.

  • Technical Presentation Lab
  • Poster Workshops
  • Undergraduate Research Week Poster Day
  • Professional Development Workshops and Industry Info-Sessions
  • End of Year Awards Reception

Program Benefits

  • Master various skills, including deciphering technical journal articles and communicating research findings.
  • Advising on securing paid research or industry positions.
  • Network with industry representatives in an intimate setting.
  • Be recognized for your research and receive an official certificate signed by the Dean.
  • Qualify for a $750 award for Best Poster and/or Best Presentation.

URP Spring Research Fair

This fair features over 20 companies actively hiring engineering undergraduate students to join their lab. If you’re looking for an opportunity to get involved in research, attending this fair is a good first step. RSVP on Handshake!

Flyers

Why Meet with Peer Advisors?
Meet Our Peer Advisors

Research Opportunities

IMEG Scholarship

Due Date: March 15, 2024

Application link: https://acecinstitute.awardspring.com/Home/ScholarshipDetails/302798

IMEG believes education and learning is powerful. A scholarship program has been developed to assist multiple students with an individual scholarship up to $10,000. Scholarships are available for underrepresented students in a sophomore through senior classification with a financial need.
The application process is available through the ACEC (American Counsel of Engineering Companies) and can be found on the IMEG website. Each student applying will be required to attach two letters of recommendation along with an unofficial transcript.

UC Leads Program

Due Date: March 8, 2024

Application: MyUCLA > Campus Life > Survey

Applications for the 2024-2026 UC LEADS cohort are now open for students in their second year at UCLA! UC LEADS (Leadership Excellence Through Advanced Degrees) is a prestigious research fellowship awarded by the University of California system. UC LEADS provides stipend support for your undergraduate research up to $6000 during the school year, and up to $5000 during the summer. More details can be found here.  You will also receive mentorship from UC LEADS Directors, the opportunity to present your research at the annual UC LEADS Symposium, and training and practice reading scientific articles, presenting your science, and professional development. If you have any difficulty accessing the survey or have additional questions, please contact us at dgray@college.ucla.edu.

REU Opportunity

Due Date: March 15, 2024

Application Link: https://www.bu.edu/photonics-reu/apply/

Boston University’s Photonics Center hosts three Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) programs. Participants will work on interdisciplinary research projects under the mentorship of BU faculty and graduate students, as well as attend professional development sessions, social activities, and research presentations.

UC Leadership Excellence Through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS)

Date: March 8, 2024

Application Link: https://ucla.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91efdf1f8e53d4f83fbba9848&id=0cc0f4bcdb&e=3e11b431f7

The UC LEADS Program provides UCLA upper-division undergraduate students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with educational experiences that prepare them to assume positions of leadership in academia, industry, government, and public service following the completion of a doctoral degree, preferably at the University of California. UC LEADS Scholars are provided with resources over a 2-year period.

Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC)

Application Link: https://ucla.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91efdf1f8e53d4f83fbba9848&id=606ba44a8e&e=3e11b431f7

The MARC Program is a 2-year, NIH-funded undergraduate honors program that seeks to strengthen the skills and research training of students from groups traditionally underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. This program is appropriate for students interested in pursuing a PhD or dual PhD degree upon completion of their baccalaureate degree. The MARC Program offers research training, financial support, mentoring, networking opportunities and academic preparation for strong and motivated students.

Math REU – Opportunities for Engineers

Application: https://www.mathprograms.org/db/programs/1581

This REU is an 8 week summer program in the Applied Mathematics group at UCLA. Students will have the opportunity to join an active research group with projects in machine learning, fluid dynamics, and quantum sensing. Throughout the summer, the REU program will be augmented by faculty-run informational sessions on research, careers in mathematics, and preparing for graduate school. All engineering majors are encouraged to apply.

The core program will start June 17 and finish August 9. In the final week of the program, students are expected to present the results of their research in both a written report and an oral presentation. Some projects will be in person but we expect to have some options for hybrid participation from within the US during business hours (9a-5p) in Los Angeles.

Eagle Lab ROV Engineering Team

Application Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZFY_YJyo1MCGcKheGH1bxcZR5_giDuVWoJgvjtPmkI_HyVw/viewform

Looking for undergraduate research and an opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge oceanic research? Consider applying to our ROV (remotely operated vehicle) engineering team! For the past two years, we’ve developed and tested our ocean-going robotic research platform and are now looking to expand our team. Engineering and related majors preferred, or anybody with engineering experience.

Join SMART Space Weather Project

Surface Magnetic Assessment in Real Time (SMART) is a National Science Foundation-sponsored science and engineering project that builds and operates a network of ground-based magnetometers in the United States for space weather observations. The project team includes groups for hardware, software, observatory operation, space weather science, big data, and education, continuing the legacy of UCLA as a national leader in related areas.

SMART is looking for additional undergraduate students to join the teamwork during Winter and Spring 2024 for a special observation campaign of the upcoming total solar eclipse in the continental US. Preferred skills include PCB design, manufacturing, and debugging/testing, power management and analysis, MQTT, JavaScript, Node.js, React, CSS, HTML, SQL, Python, MATLAB, and data analysis. We encourage interested students to send a resume and the current UCLA transcript (an unofficial copy is acceptable) to Dr. Peter Chi, Department of Earth Planetary and Space Sciences (pchi@igpp.ucla.edu).

HHMI & NSF Undergraduate Research experience

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) & National Science Foundation (NSF) Undergraduate Research Experience is designed to give undergraduates a chance to conduct high-impact research, develop both academically and professionally working with PhD students and post-docs in the labs, and present their work through academic journals and conference presentations. Professors Aydogan Ozcan (Electrical & Computer Engineering and Bioengineering depts) and Dino Di Carlo (Bioengineering) develop cutting-edge platforms for various global health applications, including deep learning microscopy, rapid diagnosis of disease through microfluidics, air and water quality monitoring through holography. Their many interdisciplinary projects are not only at the forefront of academic research but have also produced technologies currently on the market.

The program is looking for dozens of students (all years and majors) with experience in any of the following: biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, machine learning, microfluidics, optics, image processing, app development, CAD, and more! Students will conduct research throughout the 2023-2024 academic year (while earning 194/199 credit), culminating in the spring quarter with an event where they will present their projects to a general audience, ranging from local high school students to UCLA professors.

You can upload your resume/CV directly through the questionnaire or using the online application. If you have any questions or experience an issue with the online application, feel free to email hhmiucla@gmail.com

Join the URC Sciences Mailing List
Join the Undergraduate Research Center – Sciences mailing list to be notified of scholarships, programs, events, and other resources! We send out monthly newsletters and additional reminders for upcoming research-related opportunities. Sign up here!

Winter Drop-In Advising

Winter drop-in advising sessions are now virtual and in person!

To make an appointment, complete the pre-advising questionnaire.

You can also drop in to our advising room on Zoom here.

Winter Student Organizations & Activities Platform (WSOAP)

WINTER 2024 SITE IS LIVE!! Click here to explore engineering orgs at UCLA.

This platform seeks to connect students, particularly first years and transfers, to engineering organizations. Check out the general Winter opportunities and specific Transfer opportunities to get involved! More information can be found here.

ENGR 24: Finding an Undergraduate Research Opportunity Seminar

ENGR 24 is a new course designed to help engineering students secure their first research position!

This course is offered in the Spring quarter.

Take a look at the syllabus:

Spring 2023 ENGR 24 Syllabus

Winter 2023 Infosession Recording

 

Interested in research?

Want to get involved in a research lab?

Come to our quarterly research fair!

This is an opportunity for students to network with participating labs from UCLA.

All majors are welcome!

Check out the flyer on this page for more details!

Quarterly Research Fair

We will now be having a URP Research Fair every quarter!

Our Winter Research Fair will take place Tuesday, February 20, 5-7 PM in the Engineering IV Lobby

This event will be a great opportunity to network with engineering research labs interested in recruiting undergraduates just like you! Attending labs will each have a booth to talk with students about their research and how you can get involved. We have limited student sign-up slots available due to venue constraints, so RSVP ASAP if you are interested!

If you have any questions please email urp@seas.ucla.edu!

Publishing Research

The Undergraduate Research Program hosts many talented and bright scholars.

Click this link to see the journal publications of our students! 

Are you interested in publishing your research? Please visit the application website here!

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)

Currently looking for research, or already in a lab? The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) is an umbrella program that scaffolds summer undergraduate research opportunities at UCLA Samueli

Engineering, including Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). SURP is an 8-week or 10-week program and runs from June 24 to August 30 for Summer 2024.

Visit this website for more information about the program.

Undergraduate Advising

Drop-In Peer Advising

Spring drop-in advising sessions are open! Appointments can be requested here.

You can also drop in to our advising room on Zoom here.

Career Center Advising
Drop-in Advising
(Virtual and In-person)

Visit the Career Center virtual drop-in room or come the Career Center in-person located at the Strathmore Building, 2nd floor. You will be able to get help with resume/cover letter reviews and job and internship questions.

Hours

Tuesday-Thursday
10:00am-2:00pm

Access Virtual Drop-In Sessions

Engineering Faculty Advising