Undergraduate students in our laboratories gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge cancer laboratories (ONC 699). Below are instructions for finding undergraduate research opportunities and how to enroll for credit.
1. Check your courseload and availability to conduct research
In the Oncology department, students enroll for 1-3 credits of research (ONC 699). 1 credit = 3-4 hours of research/week. Keep in mind what your current courseload is and if you can add research to your schedule. Discuss any questions or concerns about courseload with your undergraduate advisor.
2. Find Oncology faculty that work in your area of interest
Check out our list of Oncology Faculty to determine if any labs would be a good fit for your research interests. Once you find research groups that you are interested in joining, you’ll need to start reaching out to professors either in-person or over email, whichever works best for you. Many research advisors will ask you to interview with either them, their group, or both, to ensure that you are a good fit for the group before formally inviting you to join their lab.
1. Required Paperwork
- Before you start undergraduate research, you must complete the 699 Authorization form with your mentor. This must be filled out each semester.
- Returning undergraduate researchers should email the form to: cancerbio@oncology.wisc.edu
- If this is your first time doing undergraduate research in the Oncology department, you must also fill out the Oncology Department Undergraduate Research Application. Part of this application will require you to upload your 699 Authorization form.
IMPORTANT: Double check that you are submitting the 699 Authorization form to the correct department. If your mentor is not listed on the Oncology faculty webpage, then review the 699 Authorization form to determine who to return the form to.
2. Training
Check with your mentor for any lab-specific safety training requirements. The Oncology department does not have any department-specific required laboratory training.
3. Badge Access
If you are doing research in McArdle (6th and 7th floors of WIMR II), contact zeuner@oncology.wisc.edu to set up a meeting for badge access.
4. Enroll in ONC 699
Once the Graduate Program Manager has received your 699 Authorization Form and Oncology Department Undergraduate Research Application (if applicable), you will be contacted with instructions on how to enroll for credit in ONC 699. Please discuss with your mentor how many credits you will register for. 1 credit = 3-4 hours of research/week. If you have done research in the Oncology department before, you must still fill out the 699 authorization form and receive permission to enroll each semester you do research.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
- All undergraduate students doing research for credit must be enrolled. The Oncology Department does not permit undergraduate students to do research as volunteers.
- The Research Authorization Form and Oncology Department Undergraduate Research Application should be turned in BEFORE you begin research, and if possible BEFORE the add deadline for the semester. Please visit the Office of the Registrar’s Dates & Deadlines page to find the due dates for the current semester and plan accordingly. We cannot guarantee permission to enroll will be given after the add deadline. Contact cancerbio@oncology.wisc.edu with any questions/concers.
