Research

A majority (65%?) of TAMS students will engage in some form of research activities during their tenure. Below are general information on research as a TAMS student.

Seeking Research Mentors

Pair-Up

The "pairing up" process can be bidirectional.

Students Seeking Mentors

Historically the standard practice, students email professors for potential research opportunities. Several things to note:

• Do write an email with good etiquette, clear points, and a mention (maybe a question) of a piece of the mentor's research that interests you.

• Do NOT send too many emails. Dr. James Duban, Associate Dean for Research and National Scholarships, recommends that each email sent be waited for 3 business days for reply.

Mentors Seeking Students

This is made possible primarily through the newly introduced effort by the TAMS Research Organization. A page is kept where students can submit brief form on research interests, and where professors interested in mentoring students may seek those whom they are interested in on a PDF file organized by TAMS staff from the forms students submit.

Further Discussions

After the professor expresses interest, some form of meeting (Zoom or in-person, depending on time) will be scheduled. If an agreement to research under the professor's mentorship is reached, congratulations, you have gotten yourself onboard!

Normal Expectation of Research

On average, approximately 6-10 hours of work is expected per week during school weeks, but more or less may be possible depending on professors.

Summer Research

Each year, depending on fund availability, a select amount of current TAMS juniors (occasionally seniors as well) receive a scholarship to conduct a 10-week research with a research mentor; this is known as "Summer Research".

Early Summer Research

In addition, a small amount of incoming TAMS students also receive scholarship to conduct research, alongside "Summer Research" students; they are known as "Early Summer Research" students. Under the regulation of a comprehensive "contract", students live in McConell Hall and participate in research activities full-time.

Choice of Mentor

There exists some discussions in terms of professors to seek research opportunities for.

Notable Faculty in TAMS Research Activities

College of Science

Department of Chemistry

• Dr. Bill E. Acree

Department of Math

• Dr. Lior Fishman

Research Electives

See Courses for further information; one may consider research electives a form of manifestation of research participation on the transcript, in a somewhat oversimplified capacity.