USC Dornsife offers many opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in research alongside faculty and graduate students within the natural sciences. Finding the right research opportunity at USC can be a multi-step process that requires some student-initiated exploration and outreach. Undergraduate students in the natural sciences generally take this approach to working in a lab or on a faculty research project:
Research Timeline for Freshman Students
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | |
| Year 1 | Begin taking gateway science courses. Solidify your research interests. Develop lab competencies in intro lab courses. Begin making connections with faculty of interest. | Identify faculty members and research centers that align with your academic interests. Read publications and attend lectures/symposiums related to your field of interest. Begin outreach to potential labs/faculty to secure a position. Apply for SURF funding if beginning research in the summer. Talk to your academic advisor about opportunities to earn degree credit for research through 490 courses. |
Research Timeline for Transfer Students
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | |
| Year 1 | Network with faculty, refine your resume, read publications and attend lectures/symposiums related to your field of interest, begin outreach to potential labs/faculty to secure a position, apply for SOAR funding. Talk to your academic advisor about opportunities to earn degree credit for research through 490 courses. | Get settled into a lab. Continue to network. Participate in symposiums. Look for opportunities to contribute to publications. |
Dornsife Research Institutes and Centers
Click here to explore the many research centers within the Dornsife College. You will find links to each center’s website with information about their projects, team, and contact information. (add one more photo)
Funding Opportunities for Research
There are many ways for undergraduate students to receive funding for their research while at USC.
SURF and SHURE are opportunities for USC Dornsife students to pursue research in conjunction with Dornsife faculty members, either on or off campus, during the summer semester. Funds up to $3000.
The SOAR program provides funding to Dornsife undergraduates for participation as a research assistant in a faculty member’s project during the fall and spring semesters of the academic year. Funds up to $1000
The Office of the Provost will provide a limited number of fellowships for undergraduate research each academic year in the fall, spring and summer terms. Funds $1000-$3000