Undergraduate Research
Begin as early as freshman year
What is research? It isn’t just for natural science students who want to experiment in a lab or do field work — it’s for anyone who wants to investigate a topic or academic discipline on a deeper level under the mentorship of a faculty expert. Undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative experiences are available for students in Drexel’s College of Arts and Sciences (CoAS) across almost all majors and minors in the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences.
Gain hands-on experience
Opportunities abound for College of Arts and Sciences students to pursue hands-on experience in research, scholarship and creative work — apply for a research fellowship or scholarship, conduct an independent study on a topic of your choice, join a faculty or group project, apply for a research co-op, take a research-based course elective, or conduct lab work. The possibilities are limitless!
Did you know?
Each year, the majority of Drexel’s Undergraduate Research Mini Grants are awarded to students in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Recent alumna Victoria Wible, Sociology ’22, served as a research assistant with Drexel's Labor and Energy Project.
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Why get involved?
Undergraduate research enables students to gain skills in problem solving, communication and teamwork while helping to clarify their academic and professional goals. Participating in research also gives students the chance to work one-on-one with faculty, allowing them to build lasting relationships with world-renowned experts. Many of our students receive research awards for their work and are published in academic journals — some even in their freshman year!
How to find a mentor
One of the most important steps in a student’s career as an undergraduate researcher is finding a faculty mentor. Faculty mentors are a source of support and guidance, both in the research setting and in guiding future endeavors by providing advice on graduate school or potential career paths.
Chemistry major Sky Harper conducts research with the goal of helping to advance Native American healthcare.
Meet STAR Scholars at CoAS
Drexel University’s STAR —Students Tackling Advanced Research— Scholars Program is an opportunity for highly motivated first-year CoAS students to engage in an early faculty-mentored undergraduate research, scholarship, or creative experience during the summer after their freshman year. This highly competitive program seeks to identify and encourage students to take a hands-on approach to their education through undergraduate research.
Any student who participates in the STAR Scholars Program earns a stipend and lives in free on-campus housing for the summer term while completing 350 hours of faculty-mentored activity. Their summer experience culminates with a poster presentation at the annual STAR Scholars Showcase.
Learn more