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 and Early 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". 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 Mentors

Chemistry

• Dr. Bill E. Acree

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.