Participation in research is a defining component of undergraduate education at Chicago. Opportunities for research in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics and the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics take many forms, but are united by the purpose of guiding students to develop and master the skills of inquiry and scholarship. Students may participate as a member of a research group or individually tackle a portion of a larger research project. Throughout, faculty mentoring prepares students as emerging researchers capable of contributing to novel scholarship leading to conference presentations, publications, and future opportunities.
Current UChicago students interested in engaging in faculty-supervised research are encouraged to attend research group meetings that are open to undergraduates.
Prior to attending a meeting, we recommend the following:
- Contact the faculty member to let them know you are attending.
- Do your homework by reviewing faculty bios, websites, and reading their recent publications.
- Reflect on what interests you, what skills you have and want, and how participation in research aligns with your academic goals.
- When you feel ready, engage faculty (and others) at group meetings.
- When requesting a meeting with a faculty member to discuss a research opportunity, be sure to include your year, major, and relevant experience, and be prepared to explain your interest in their work.
- Be professional, persistent, and selective.
Contact
To learn more about research opportunities in the department, contact Dr. Julia Brazas to schedule an appointment.