ASU SoLS: SOLUR Program

The School of Life Sciences Undergraduate Research (SOLUR) program is supported in part by a grant to ASU School of Life Sciences from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute through the Undergraduate Science Education Program and funds from ASU to the School of Life Sciences (SOLS)

The School of Life Sciences Undergraduate Research (SOLUR) program promotes and facilitates opportunities for undergraduates to participate in the exciting biological research being done on the ASU campus and elsewhere in the Valley of the Sun. Through participation in research, students in the SOLUR program have some of the most formative and engaging learning experiences that research universities such as ASU can offer. Our program endeavors to teach students about the process of scientific investigation in a way that encourages and includes students from all backgrounds and prepares them well for careers in the life sciences. What better way is there to do this than to get students actually involved in original and first rate research in the life sciences?

In SOLUR and our other undergraduate research programs students learn about and contribute to research by working closely with faculty and other mentors on on-going investigations. We support these experiences by providing (1) information on projects and mentors available to students, (2) funds for salary, supplies, and travel for research, (3) a seminar to learn about research enterprise and interact with other SOLUR participants, and (4) an annual poster symposium to gain experience in communicating the results of research. We encourage not only projects focused on biology but also those that span or make connections to the life sciences. SOLUR participants often engage in projects beyond the School of Life Sciences in disciplines such as Psychology, Biochemistry, Kinesiology, Bioengineering, and Philosophy.

Learning the skills necessary for full participation in research is a gradual process and so our program features three levels of student involvement - Apprentices, Researchers, and Fellows. The level at which a given student enters the program and participates depends on their background and previous experiences both at ASU and elsewhere.

Apprentice is our first or starting level for students who have no previous experience working on a research project in the field or lab. At this level, you will work for a semester or two on project largely developed, planned, and guided by your faculty mentor.

Researcher is our second or middle level of participation and the award is for one academic year (fall and spring semesters) with the option of starting in the summer before. This level is for students who after being an apprentice or with some equivalent experience find they are keenly interested in research and want to learn more. During the year as a Researcher, you will be paid an hourly wage and have access to funds for research supplies and travel to relevant scientific conferences.

Fellow is our highest level of appointment. These appointments start at the beginning of summer and run for one full year. During this time, students work on projects in which they have had a great deal of creative input into the conceptualization and design of the work and experiments. This level is for those students who have had at least one year of experience in research and who are committed to pursing careers in the life sciences, especially those involving research. Fellows are paid an hourly wage and have access to funds for research supplies and travel to relevant scientific conferences.

Please see the attached document for more detail.

No matter what the level of participation, students in the SOLUR program are excited about their projects and what they are learning. We encourage you to consider seriously these opportunities as one of the best ways to enrich and enhance your education at ASU. Below you will find more information on each level of participation, what opportunities are available, what is expected, and how to apply.

Apprentices get a one-semester introduction to university research experiences. We compile a list of opportunities available (click here) from faculty mentors and post this list on the SOLUR website at the beginning of each semester. No prior research experience is necessary and so this is a great way for students get started and explore their interest in research. Students work closely with a faculty mentor in their research group to gain experience and skills that permit them to progress to more advanced and independent research experiences. Apprentices build knowledge and basic skills in research, gain exposure to the nature of scientific inquiry and what it means to be part of a community engaged in research, learn to find and read relevant scientific literature, and summarize and informally present their research experience in a seminar setting.

Apprentices are appointed to the SOLUR Program for one semester. During their appointment they must be enrolled as a full-time, degree-seeking student at ASU. Students may apply for and be reappointed for a second semester provided they have met the program responsibilities. Faculty mentors and undergraduates whose interests span or make connections to the life sciences are welcome to apply for participation.

Research opportunities for Apprentices are posted (click here) by faculty mentors before the start of each semester. Prior to the beginning of a semester, students can view the list of available project descriptions and apply for positions of interest. Students may apply for no more than two positions each semester. Applications and supporting materials (a statement of interest and a letter of recommendation) are due in the School of Life Sciences Undergraduate Enrichment Programs Office (LSC 226) the Monday before classes begin each fall and spring semesters. Faculty mentors will select apprentices from a pool of applicants and notify students to be interviewed by email.

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As a SOLUR Apprentice, you will:

We expect a SOLUR Apprentice will:

Instructions For Application to the Apprentice Program click here.
Apprentice Application (pdf) click here click here.

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Researchers are awarded two-semester positions (fall and spring with the option to add the prior summer) that permits them to continue and enhance their interest in research. These experiences focus on the basic of research design. This level of participation is for all students, including those transferring from community colleges who have had at least two semesters of entry level experience gained through SOLUR Apprentice or any other program or any other similar prior experience with lab or field work.

Researchers work closely with a faculty mentor to build skills and contribute to the experimental design of a research project, locate and read scientific literature, experience the nature of scientific inquiry, engage in research-focused discussions and summarize their research experience for presentation at the annual Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium.

During their appointment Researchers must enroll as a full-time, degree-seeking student at ASU and it is desirable that they maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students may apply for and be reappointed for a second year. Faculty mentors and undergraduates whose interests span or make connections to the life sciences are welcome to apply. Mentors are encouraged to provide match funding for their students.

Applicants for Researcher level positions will need to have discussed with a faculty mentor their interest and obtained from the faculty member a commitment to mentor the student prior to applying. The SOLUR program can help with this. The application packet must include a completed application form, a statement of interest, a resume that includes information on prior research experience, a copy of your transcripts, a letter of recommendation, and a commitment form and letter from a faculty member who will be your mentor. We carefully review the applications because funding is limited each year. Applications are accepted once each year, early in the spring. Please see the application for the exact due date.

For a Researcher Application (pdf) click here.

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Appointment as a SOLUR Researcher brings benefits and responsibilities.

As a SOLUR Researcher, you will:

We expect a SOLUR Researcher will:

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For a Researcher Application (pdf) click here.
For a Mentor Commitment form (pdf) click here.

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Fellows engage in experiences that strengthen, enrich and support experienced undergraduate researchers who aspire to graduate studies and careers in any area in the life sciences, including medicine. This program is for students who after their previous experiences now want to engage in the exciting and creative process of developing, testing, and communicating their own ideas and questions. Working with a faculty mentor, Fellows develop their own research proposals which are reviewed on a competitive basis by a faculty review committee. Applicants to the program must have a minimum of one year of undergraduate research experience. Students appointed as Fellows work closely with a faculty mentor while engaged in the research process, pre-professional development, and career guidance. Mentors are encouraged to provide match funding for their students.

Fellows locate, read, and apply existing scientific literature to their own research experience and sculpt an understanding of the nature of scientific inquiry, engage in research-focused discussions, and interpret and summarize their research findings at the spring School of Life Sciences Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium. Fellows engage fully in research processes, pre-professional development, and career guidance and are encouraged to explore additional publication and presentation venues with their faculty mentor. In addition and in line with contemporary expectations of scientists, each Fellow is expected to contribute 10 hours per semester to activities that broaden the impact of their research activities, such presentations to student organization, participating in recruitment activities, etc.

Fellows are appointed to the SOLUR Program for an academic year, including summer, fall, and spring semesters. During appointment, Fellows must be enrolled as full-time, degree-seeking undergraduates at ASU and it is desirable that they maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5. Students may apply for and receive successive academic year appointments if they have met program responsibilities. Students previously appointed as Fellows may request partial year appointments to accommodate fall graduation.

To apply for an appointment as a SOLUR Fellow, an applicant must submit a research proposal and application packet that are reviewed by a faculty review committee. The full packet application includes, in addition to the research proposal, a completed application form, a statement of interest, a resume showing prior research experience, a copy of their transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a commitment letter from a faculty member. Applications are accepted once each year, early in the spring. Please see the application for the exact due date. Undergraduate students whose interests span or make connections to the life sciences are welcome to apply for appointment.

For a SOLUR Fellow application (pdf) click here.

Appointment as a SOLUR Fellow brings benefits and responsibilities.

As a SOLUR Fellow, you will:

We expect SOLUR Fellows to:

For a SOLUR Fellow application (pdf) click here.
For a SOLUR Fellow Mentor Commitment form (pdf) click here.

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For More Information, Contact the SOLUR Program Staff

School of Life Sciences Enrichment Program
Arizona State University
PO Box 874701
Tempe, Arizona 85287-4701
(480) 965-5369
SOLSEP@asu.edu