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.
- Be sure to read through at least a few of the professor's papers. You don't have to understand everything—in fact, a great way to demonstrate your curiosity is to ask the professor in the email itself. For instance, "I don't quite understand ___, but I would like to get to know more about it. Is there a way we can set up a meeting to discuss ___?" Another option is to ask your senior(s) that are in the professor's lab. Chances are, they'll have a good grasp on what's going on in their research.
- Writing about how you got interested in the professor's field can also be a great selling point in your email.
- 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 a 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.
UNT Undergraduate Research Fund
Choice of Mentor
There exists some discussions in terms of professors to seek research opportunities for.
Notable Professors in TAMS Research
A table of notable faculty members in UNT who has regularly mentored TAMS students or have in other ways significantly influenced TAMS research is available. As stated, please do not send multiple emails in a row.
| College of | Department of | Name |
|---|---|---|
| Science | Chemistry | William E. Acree |
| Science | Chemistry | Thomas R. Cundari |
| Science | Biological Sciences (Neuroscience) | Jannon Fuchs |
| Science | Math | Lior Fishman |
| Science | Physics | José Perez |
| Engineering | Computer Science and Engineering | Rodney Nelson |
| Engineering | Computer Science and Engineering | Nagendra Gulur |
| Engineering | Computer Science and Engineering | Mark Thompson |
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.