How do I Find Research?

Feeling Lost? Don't Worry!

Classes that guide ABI students:

ABI 187: A major required course for ABI students entering upper division. This course will help get you started on the major's Practicum, starting with looking for mentors and contacting them. The goal of this course is for you to have a research mentor as well as a research proposal for your project by the end of the quarter.

Taught by Dr. Marshall McMunn. Taught in the Fall and Winter quarters.

First-Year Aggie Connection (FYAC): Get Moo-ving: Making the Most out of Animal Biology: Seminar-style Aggie Connection specifically for lower-division Animal Biology students. This course will help you explore your scientific interests and develop your professional skills to help you put your best foot forward in this major.

Facilitated by Elvira Galvan Hack. Offered starting Fall 2020.

Participating in research as an undergraduate brings to you countless experiences, meaningful relationships, and important professional development. You hear about these great things all the time, but as an Animal Biology student, how do you get started? Luckily, there's a lot of people and places out there to help you find your way.

What if I don't know what I want to research yet?

That's okay! It can seem a little redundant that you come to college to learn what you don't already know, but want to start on research while you're at it. But no worries - undergraduates do research all the time, and mentors should be happy to show you the ropes.

Do you have any favorite classes?

Thinking about your favorite classes, as well as the ones you performed best in, is a good start to deciding what fields suit you best. For instance, all the different classes in the BIS 2 series will introduce you to the many different sides of biology.

Also, if any of your professors really stood out to you, consider reaching out to them for pointers, or to inquire about becoming a part of their lab.

What are your career goals?

Want to be a shelter veterinarian? Think about searching for faculty at the vet school. Want to be a zookeeper? Ask an advisor about doing research at a zoo under an affiliate. Want to be an entomologist? The entomology department is full of opportunity.

Often times the best mentors are those who are close to what you see yourself doing in the future.

What type of setting do you want to work in?

Not all research happens at a lab bench (but it can if you want it to!) Just for starters:

  • "Wet" labs perform experiments with liquids (duh) and/or potentially hazardous chemicals and biological substances/organisms.
  • "Dry" labs are mostly centered around computational analyses, simulations, mathematical work, theoretical research, and more.
  • Field work is done when researchers gather raw information in the environment of their interest, outside of a lab.

Keep in mind that research isn't exclusive to one setting. For instance, you might need to go into the field to collect samples, process those samples in a "wet" lab, then spend a significant amount of time doing computational work based on your gatherings.

Don't let the setting be what determines your path, but it can be an important logistical factor to consider.

And lastly: What's your favorite animal?

The opportunities are endless, so there's bound to be something right for you.

However, don't restrict yourself to the animals you already know and love! You won't know if you like something until you try it. Everybody loves dogs and cats, but where else will you be able to work with bee colonies, a fistulated cow, or a vivarium full of voles?

I know what I want to research; how do I find WHO to research with?

Browse departmental websites. By doing this, you will able to see exactly who's studying what in your field of interest. Note that you are also allowed to work under a graduate student, but you must get all official signage from the sponsoring faculty member.

Some examples:

The options are endless. You can work with a faculty member in any department as long as your specific project somehow incorporates animals.

Read some papers! The UC Davis Library is a priceless resource you can use to search for academic articles in your area of interest. Consider contacting faculty members who have worked on projects that really catch your eye. 

To learn more about navigating the UC Davis Library's online databases as an Animal Biology student, you can get help from a subject expert from the library.

Seek programs recruiting undergraduates. You can do a project that is a part of a bigger program as long as you have some form of UC Davis sponsorship. Contact an advisor if you need special arrangements.

Speak to an advisor. Lastly, if you're feeling stuck, they can be very helpful! After all, they've seen all the Animal Biology students through their practicums.