Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Research with Psychology Faculty

PSYCHOLOGY 99 - Lower Division Students
PSYCHOLOGY 199 - Upper Division Students

Independent studies with our faculty are highly regarded by graduate schools. They also give students an early insight into fields which they might consider for a future career, or help change minds while there is still time to do so. Because we cannot control what kind of work the student does, we cannot accept Psychology 99/199 towards the major. It will, however, be counted as upper division credit towards a student's GE requirement. A 99/199 can also count towards the research experience requirement for the B.S. (degree culminating in a research paper accepted by the sponsor).

In general, the student learns how research programs are carried out. Students assist in running subjects, collecting data, and evaluating data under the supervision of a faculty member or graduate student.

We advertise 99/199 positions via fliers at bulletin boards in the Department. Students can also approach relevant faculty directly.

Prerequisites for Psychology 99 (2-4 units): Freshman status, completion of at least 30 units of undergraduate studies at UCSD with a minimum UCSD GPA of 3.0; completed and approved Special Studies Form. May be taken for credit three times.

Information regarding Psychology 199:

Prerequisite: 90 units completed (i.e., junior standing) and a 2.5 overall GPA
Credit: 2 units (6 hour-commitment per week) or 4 units (12 hour-commitment per week)
Grading: P/NP
Forms: Applications (Special Studies 199 forms) are available online at TritonLink (under MyRecords).
Positions: Advertisements of possible available positions at the Student Affairs Office or other convenient locations in McGill and Mandler Hall. Feel free to contact any psychology faculty you would like to work with.
Enrolling: Return the completed form to the Undergraduate Student Affairs Office. It takes approximately one business day to verify GPA and units completed, to obtain course code, and the Chair's signature. Come back to pick up the processed form to take it to the Registrar. The form is used as an add-card.
Benefits: 1. Exposure to research and its methodology - Admissions committees for graduate school place heavy importance on experience.

2. Professors get to know you personally and can write more effective letters of recommendation.

ATTENTION: 199s do not count towards the BA major!

Contact the faculty member of your choice. Check for office hours and office numbers at the Psychology Student Affairs Office.

Psychology 197 - Academic Internship Program

The Department of Psychology offers students the opportunity to become involved in an internship program. To get information on how to enroll, come to the Student Affairs Office located on the first floor of Mandler Hall.

Internships, like research experience with faculty, are highly regarded by graduate schools. They also give students an early insight into fields which students might consider for their future career or help to change their minds while there is still time to do so. Because we cannot control what kind of work is expected from students, we cannot accept Psychology 197 towards the major. It will, however, be counted as upper division credit towards a student's GE requirements. A 197 can also count towards the research experience requirement for the B.S. degree (culminating in a research paper accepted by the sponsor).

The UCSD Office of the Campus Internship Program also administers an internship program. They are located on the second floor of the Literature Building on Warren Campus. Please contact that office for further information: 534-4355.

US Grants for Undergraduate Research

Every quarter, the Associated Students' US Grants program awards funding to undergraduate students seeking aid for independent or in-class projects. Undergraduate students are encouraged to apply (e-mail: usgrants@ucsd.edu).