SOLUR

SOLUR stands for School of Life Sciences Undergraduate Research program, which is a community of mutually supportive undergraduate researchers. As a member of this program, you can get involved in real-world research as an undergraduate student, whether you have no research experience, a little or a great deal.

If you are participating in a research lab already, you may enroll in BIO194 (SOLUR Apprentice level) or BIO289 (SOLUR Researcher level).

If you are not yet participating in a research lab, you will need to find one. Please see the "How do I find a research lab?" in this FAQ for more information.

If you wish to participate at the SOLUR Scholar or SOLUR Fellow levels, then you must wait until the application process begins which is typically every spring.

You can find a research lab one of two ways:

• Explore open research opportunities
• Contact a faculty mentor

Explore the ASU School of Life Sciences undergraduate research opportunities Handshake site for a list of available research opportunities.

However, this is not a complete list. Some faculty members accept student researchers even if they do not advertise specific positions. You might find this information on fliers or on the faculty member's web page.

Once you find a research topic you are interested in, search for a research mentor that aligns to your interest. Do some background reading about their research. Check out their lab website and recent publications. Then contact the specific faculty mentor regarding possible opportunities in their lab.

When contacting a potential faculty mentor, consider the following tips from the Annals of Medicine and Surgery:

• Use proper formatting and email etiquette
• Attract the faculty mentor with an informative and clear subject line
• Introduce yourself and show your interest in their field
• Attach your CV or resume
• Talk about your experience and commitment to research

There are four student research levels based on your individual amount of research experience.

• SOLUR Apprentice: Semester-by-semester (fall and spring) opportunity for students with little to no prior research experience.
• SOLUR Researcher: Semester-by-semester (fall and spring) opportunity for students with a small amount of prior research experience.
• SOLUR Scholar: School of Life Sciences undergraduates who have two semesters or more of research experience. These students are eligible to receive funding for one academic year (funding limits subject to change).
• SOLUR Fellow: School of Life Sciences undergraduates with at least two years of research experience and high levels of diligence and commitment. Fellows are eligible to receive funding for one academic year (funding limits subject to change).

You can explore your interests and abilities in the life sciences and be part of a close-knit community on campus. You’ll build your research and communications skills and gain experience in the field or a lab. You could be promoted to a higher level of student researcher.

No, SOLUR does not place you in a research lab. However, you can search for a lab to work in on your own. Read our tips on how to get started.

Yes! You can volunteer in a lab without course credit or you can get credit by enrolling in BIO495 or 499. Either way, you are eligible to participate in the SOLUR Seminar BIO194 (SOLUR Apprentice level) or BIO289 (SOLUR Researcher level)

Each year, applications open the first week of February and close in late March or early April.

You must be enrolled as a full-time, degree-seeking ASU student; 2.75+ GPA; already working in a research lab.

You must be enrolled as a full-time, degree-seeking ASU School of Life Sciences student; 3.0+ GPA; two or more semesters of research experience (SOLUR program, other lab or field-work)

You must be enrolled as a full-time, degree-seeking ASU School of Life Sciences student; 3.5+ GPA; two or more years of research experience (SOLUR program, other lab or field-work); already working in a research lab.

To search for a mentor, please visit the “Find a Mentor” link on the left side of this page and search by the research expertise you are interested in. Then, do your research on the work in each professor’s lab. Contact them individually to see whether they are accepting undergraduate students in their lab.

Create a Handshake profile(link is external) and begin searching for open opportunities.

The SOLUR Program Seminar is an integral part of your SOLUR experience. Each semester, we will cover a variety of topics important to your development as a scientist.

If enrolling at the SOLUR Apprentice or Researcher levels, please complete the SOLUR Apprentice/Researcher Agreement form(link is external). Once we have received the completed and signed form from your faculty mentor and review your information, we’ll contact you about enrolling in BIO 194/BIO 289.

If enrolling in BIO 389 or BIO 489, simply enroll in the course at your convenience. An override is placed on your record upon acceptance into the program.

You’ll be learning to write scientifically and communicate your research to the general public. You’ll also create a research poster, develop your presentation skills, develop your CV and work on your own professional development. And importantly, you’ll receive individual and group guidance from the SOLUR Director, professor Shelley Haydel.

Yes! Many SOLUR Apprentices and Researchers are lab volunteers. Once you’ve found a research lab, please complete the agreement form.

It depends. SOLUR Apprentices and SOLUR Researchers are encouraged to earn credit for their research activities. Please speak with your SOLS advisor and PI about enrolling research credit courses (i.e. BIO/MBB/MIC 495), as enrolling in this course is at your PIs discretion. You will work with them to establish requirements that are reflective of a 400-level, upper-division class. SOLUR Scholars and SOLUR Fellows are being funded by SOLS for their research project. As such, they are not eligible to enroll in research credit courses (i.e. BIO/MBB/MIC 495). If a SOLUR Scholar and SOLUR Fellows wish to take BIO/MBB/MIC 495, please consult with SOLUR personnel.