Dietrich College Research Training Program

The Research Training Program stimulates and nurtures interest in research by providing eligible and interested students with real research experience working on a faculty project or in a lab.

Research training opportunities are open to Dietrich College undergraduate students who are new to research experiences.

Projects take the form of a one-semester/9-unit research apprenticeship with a faculty sponsor. Faculty members meet with students regularly throughout the semester to provide project mentorship. At the end of the semester, students receive grades for their work. Research Training courses offer useful research assistance to faculty, while giving students access to explore research methods and projects happening right here in Dietrich College.

How to Find Research Training Courses

Faculty approval is required to participate in a research training course. Interested students should:

  1. Review the offered research projects
    • Courses available for the upcoming semester can be found in . Students should explore Research Training listings under the ‘Opportunities’ tab at the top of the page, then filter by position type for ‘Undergraduate Research’.
  2. Prepare to connect with faculty
    • Most courses will require students to reach out to instructors or apply via a form. This will be indicated on the ‘How to Apply’ section of the opportunity listing. This step often consists of providing a resume and a written message to help faculty learn more about the student's experience and why their project is of interest. Departments will then connect with interested students to determine acceptance into a research training course. For assistance reaching out to instructors, students are encouraged to refer to or connect with the Collester Center team.
    • If a student is not sure if a listed project perfectly matches their academic interests, they should consider reaching out to the faculty member or listed contact on the posting with a self-introduction and questions they might have. Faculty are often are open to discussing research projects in more detail!
  3. If accepted to enroll, complete a Research Training Program Contract (pdf)
    • The student and faculty member should download the form and complete it together. 
    • Students should send completed contracts to both their academic advisor and collester@cmu.edu in order to be enrolled for the semester. After enrollment is processed, students will receive more information about the program at the start of the semester.