Undergraduate Research

All undergraduate Physics and ChemPhys concentrators have the opportunity to do original research. In addition to being fun and interesting, a research experience will:

  1. Allow you to learn things you wouldn't normally see in a course
  2. Give you a flavor of what graduate school or industry would be like
  3. Allow people in the field to get to know you and your work, which is always a good thing, and necessary when it comes to getting a letter of recommendation.

Research can be done either here at Harvard with our faculty, or through an external program, like an REU. We recommend a combination of both, especially if you're thinking about graduate school.

Getting started

For most students, we recommend starting research in the summer. There is a steep learning curve, so it works best for most people to start without the added pressure of courses. 

Summer research can either be done here at Harvard, or through an external program. We recommend applying to multiple programs. Most application deadlines for summer opportunities run from January to March, which means you need to start preparing well beforehand--around the end of the fall semester. 

Generally research experiences in the sciences are funded, either through a grant or a scholarship. This means you get paid to do research, but you do need to apply, so pay careful attention to deadlines!

Finding a research advisor

Some definitions: A "research advisor" is a professor or research scientist who runs a research group, the lead researcher ultimately in charge of the projects in the group. You commonly hear them referred to as a "PI" which stands for Principle (or Primary) Investigator. 

If you choose to do research here at Harvard either during the summer a semester, the first step is to find an advisor willing to mentor you. You can start by perusing the faculty webpages to find a few professors whose work interest you. Contact the professors via email or drop by their office hours to see if they have any projects available. 

Note that as an undergrad, it is generally easier to get started with experimental research than theoretical research, so most students start in an experimental lab (there's plenty of theory to learn there, too!). If you like theory and can find a professor who has a theoretical project available, go for it. 

Term-time research

Many students do research during term time as well, usually as a continuation of summer research. Term time research can be done for pay (through HCRP or lab funds) or for credit through Physics 90r. Please note that you cannot get credit and get paid for the same work.