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UCSB UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Why Research?

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Crossing the Ilave River in Peru’s Titicaca basin.

10 Great Reasons to Get Involved
Missing out on undergraduate research is like throwing away the other half of a great education. Think what it can provide:

1. The opportunity to help create new knowledge.

2. Learning experiences beyond class work—and a valuable background for students who plan to become educators.
  • Undergraduate research can earn course credit:
    Enroll in 99RA/199RA (research assistance)
    or 99/199 (independent study).
    Click here for more about research for credit.
  • Funding support is available.
    Click here for more about research stipends and grants.

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Undergrads (center), a postdoc (left), and a staff research associate investigated chromosome segregation.
3. New perspectives and insights as you participate in cutting-edge research.

4. The inherent pleasure of learning about investigation and discovery.

5. Teamwork in a close-knit interdisciplinary community.

6. Improved oral and written communication.

7. A chance to find out what it's really like to work in an area that interests you.

8. Marketable skills: time management, critical thinking and problem solving, specialized training, leadership.

9. A network of faculty and graduate students who can help open doors to future opportunities.

10. A competitive advantage in both your studies and your future career.