Research can be done through any school and with any professor on campus, but must be related to biology.
Recommended steps to register for research:
- Find a UF faculty member who will allow you to do research in their lab. *Note: must be PI of the lab, cannot be TA or graduate student*
- Identify your project.
- Submit a registration form and proposal by the due date.
- Register for the appropriate research course.
- Submit a final report by the due date.
Contacting Potential Research Mentors
Reaching out to a potential research advisor can be daunting and you might not know exactly what to say! Here are some tips of what to include in an email inquiring about conducting research with someone:
- Subject: Include a professional subject line for your email.
- Introductions: Your first line should be a greeting like: “Dear Dr. Einstein.” Always address faculty by Professor or Dr. Make sure to include your name, major, and year. In a few sentences, explain any prior research experience, your skills, and research goals.
- Statement of Interest: Briefly describe your scientific interests and relate them to the lab’s projects. Most faculty have websites listing their CVs and research publications so you can learn about their research programs.
- Here is a current list of Biology faculty. Do not send the exact same email to multiple advisors, specifically address the research in the lab of the faculty member you are writing to.
- Do not use AI to write emails to faculty.
- Make yourself accessible: List some days and times that you are free in the next couple of weeks, asking for a time to meet.
- Attach a resume/CV: Outline your accomplishments and relevant classes. The UF Career Connections Center has a page to help you put together a resume here.
- Closing: Use formal expressions like “Best regards”, “Thank you”, “I look forward to hearing from you”, etc. to close your email.
- Sign: Include your name, major, and year.
If you write to a faculty member and do not get a response, understand that they are busy. Do not email the same faculty member repeatedly. Instead, try to contact someone else.
If you’re having trouble finding a mentor or would like further assistance, you can book an appointment with the Biology Major Office here.
Here are some examples of what your email could look like:
Option A: If you have a specific interest
Dear Professor X,
My name is [your name], and I am a junior Marine Science major. I am broadly interested in (insert interest here e.g., freshwater ecology of fishes in the family Syngnathidae), and your research on (insert research project here e.g., environmental impacts of pipefishes) is very interesting. I have some experience working on project 1 and project 2.
Your paper (X et al. 2015) was particularly intriguing, with methods as such-and-such. I would be interested in your project (insert project name) and would love to be involved. I am available to meet DAY from TIME-TIME. I’ve also attached my CV for your consideration.
Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely,
[your name] Junior Marine Science major
Option B: If you have a general interest
Dear Professor X,
My name is [your name], and I am a junior Botany major. I am broadly interested in (insert interest e.g., plants, everything from morphology to phenology), and your research on (insert interest here e.g., plant phenology) is very interesting. I found your paper (X et al. 2015) particularly intriguing, with methods such-and-such.
I would be interested in your project (insert project name) to get any type of skillset in research about this topic. I am available to meet DAY from TIME-TIME. I’ve also attached my CV for your consideration.
Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely,
[your name] Junior Botany major