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The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM) is home to a number of undergraduate research training programs funded through the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Each program offers participating students extensive access to faculty and research labs, and many provide a stipend.

For more information about the programs below, please contact: Cheyanne.Ramon@csulb.edu.

Why Do Research?

ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ students are highly encouraged to collaborate with faculty on research projects. The projects may be related to the faculty member's research program or initiated by the student.

Participation in research is a way to learn more about a scientific sub-discipline and to learn about the scientific method: observation; explanation of those observations through formulating hypotheses; design and performance of experiments to test the hypothesis; analysis of experimental results; and finally communication those results, the conclusions that can be drawn from them, and their significance.

Regardless of whether research will be a part of their future careers, participation in research helps students develop skills in critical thinking, creative problem solving, and communication. These skills are highly valued in any career; they are real-world skills often not explicitly emphasized in classes or scheduled laboratories but of primary concern to employers. Research is a form of active learning that helps translate "what do you know" into "what you can do" -- a basis for critical interview questions often asked by prospective employers.

For those who aspire to research careers, student research is an early immersive experience that helps define interests and talents, and can identify optimal career paths that a student may wish to pursue in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Some student research experiences may provide an opportunity to co-author a journal article with a faculty mentor -- a great addition for resumes and applications.

Supported Programs

The Jensen SAS Center supports the following student research programs through advisement, guidance, and workshops.

CNSM Student Research Symposium

Each year the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM) along with the Jensen SAS Center provide an opportunity for its students to showcase their collaborative research with ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ faculty. All CNSM students are encouraged to participate in the CNSM Student Research Symposium by getting an approved abstract from their faculty mentor and making a poster presentation. 

CSU-SPaRA

The CSU STEM Pathways and Research Alliance (CSU-SPaRA) program at ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ is for undergraduates majoring in a STEM field as they prepare for their next steps after completing their bachelor's.

U-RISE

The Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE) program is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This training initiative is for undergraduate students interested in health-related research. Their mission is to enhance participation in the biomedical and behavioral research workforce in the United States.

ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ MD Alumni Research Program

Funded by a ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ MD Alum, the goal of the ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ MD Alumni Research Program is to support undergraduate students who plan to enter and succeed in medical school programs.

Additional Programs

Additional undergraduate research training programs are also available in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.