Undergraduate Research Opportunities
I’m always looking for motivated, detail-oriented, and hard-working undergraduates to join the lab! Research opportunities are available to all Winthrop University students, regardless of background or prior research experience. While technical and research experience is an asset, as an undergraduate teaching lab, my role is to support your development in those areas. Enthusiasm and commitment are the most important assets I’m looking for! First generation college students, women, and students from historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to reach out.
As a research assistant, you will design research, collect and analyze data, and have the opportunity to present your research at Winthrop and national conferences.
Research projects vary by semester, but can be tailored to your interests and career goals. Many students work in the lab to gain additional experience with geospatial technologies, like GIS and Remote Sensing, but there are opportunities for other types of research projects as well.
Credit, Compensation, and Programs
Typically, work in the lab is done in exchange for course credit or through the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Program. The lab also occasionally has paid research assistant opportunities. Students are also welcome to volunteer in the lab.
Students interested in course credit should reach out to Dr. Kohut during advising the preceding semester to discuss opportunities. Students receiving Independent Study credit are expected to commit at least 9 hours a week and are expected to complete a research paper, presentation, or oral presentation of their work. Students are encouraged to present this work at the annual Showcase of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors (SOURCE).
Students interested in summer research experience should reach out to Dr. Kohut early in Spring semester. Summer research opportunities currently involve travel to Peru and must be coordinated well in advance. Grants and other funding is available to help cover travel expenses. Students are encouraged to apply for departmental grants.
Balancing Research and Other Responsibilities
It can feel daunting to add research on top of your existing responsibilities! Registering as an Independent Study is one way to fit research into your existing academic schedule while also making progress toward your degree. For Environmental Studies and Environmental Science students, ENVS 495 fulfills the research experience requirement for the major. It also contributes to the minimum hours in courses numbered above 299.
The lab offers a lot of flexibility to schedule your research hours around your other commitments. The GEM lab provides high-powered computers for your work. Research can often be completed from home or outside of the lab as well.