Research

One of the neuroscience degree program’s major goals is providing undergraduate students and masters students with research experience and practical training in neuroscience through faculty-mentored research. Temple University’s neuroscience faculty utilize state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge techniques to study fundamental brain processes and functions at various levels and to discover how this knowledge could be applied to treating various neuropathologies.

The program consists of more than 35 faculty members from different departments and colleges who provide mentorship to undergraduate and graduate students. The research is funded by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health and Industry, and many private research foundations.

Undergraduate Students

BRIDGE Program

The Building Research Independence by Developing Goals and hands-on Experiences (BRIDGE) program is designed to give Temple undergraduate students from populations underrepresented in psychology and neuroscience paid summer research experience, individualized mentoring, and professional development opportunities. The summer training will allow for students to determine if they’re interested in research and provide them with experiential learning and skill development that will translate into a variety of post graduation opportunities. Networking opportunities and career development workshops will increase the likelihood students get the job or postgraduate training that they desire. For more information, please visit the BRIDGE website.

Independent Study

Neuroscience majors are encouraged to gain first-hand experience with research through independent study. Students will carry out supervised neuroscience research by observing and participating in ongoing research in a laboratory environment.

The program requires the student to spend 3-4 hours per credit per week of a 14-week semester in the lab - 1 credit equals 3-4 hours per week, 2 credits equal 6-8 hours, 3 credits 9–12 hours, etc. Students may take a total of eight independent study credits and no more than four per semester. Independent study programs are offered in the fall, spring and both summer semesters. Any students who have a double major have the opportunity to complete two separate independent studies.

Registering for Independent Study

In order to register for Independent Study, you will need to complete a Special Course Approval form. This form can be found in the Neuroscience Coordinator’s office in room 618 Weiss Hall.

Students must complete all information on the form and have the research mentor sign the form. The form should then be returned to the Neuroscience Coordinator’s office in room 618 Weiss Hall. Once you are registered, you will notice that Dr. Parikh is the instructor. Dr. Parikh is responsible for the administration of the course. You will go to you laboratory and work with your mentor according to your agreement. At the end of the semester, your mentor will be contacted for a grade.

Finding a Lab

Independent study is available in the laboratories of neuroscience faculty members at Temple. Independent study is very popular and students should start the process of finding a lab well in advance.

In most cases, students start a year in advance. Once a lab has been identified as an area of interest, the student must contact that research faculty member to see about openings, requirements, start dates, etc. Each laboratory program is unique and has different academic requirements. Some students will be required to complete a final paper, some students will be responsible for a literature search and all students are encouraged to submit a poster for the spring or fall poster session.

You can view the full list of the Neuroscience Program’s research opportunities.

View the video below which features Psychology Major and Cognitive Neuroscience Minor, Nina Dostaly, and hear about her research journey, time in Dr. Tania Giovannetti’s Cognitive Neuropsychology Lab and her path to finding research opportunities!

Master’s Research Project

Students are required to work on a master’s project for both semesters in the second year. Those students who are motivated to join doctoral programs or are interested in research positions will have the opportunity to work independently on a neuroscientific investigation under the supervision of a faculty member that maintains an active neuroscience research program. The purpose of the project will be to not only train students in specific neuroscientific techniques, but also to train students to develop scientific and analytical approach towards a problem, formulate clear research questions, conduct experiment, and analyze/interpret data.

Applying to a Lab FAQs

I’ve never worked in a lab before and I don’t know how to do anything. Should I still apply?

Yes! Labs are looking for undergraduates with enthusiasm, good work ethic, and who are reliable. Very few research labs will expect previous lab experience. You will be taught everything you need to know.

How do I choose a lab to apply to?

Choose a lab that is studying a topic that you’re interested in learning more about. Also, consider if there are any techniques the lab uses that you want to gain exposure to. Investigate the types of studies the lab does (e.g., neuroimaging, animal models of disease, cell culture). For example, if you’re interested in working with humans, perhaps a neuroimaging lab is a good option. Checking out the lab website is a good place to start getting a feel for the lab and if it’s a good fit for your interests.

I applied to work in a lab and I was told there were no open positions. Should I give up?

Don’t give up! Labs are dynamic, with frequent personnel turnover and projects starting up and concluding all the time. Don’t be discouraged if you get turned down several times before finding a research position. Likewise, if you email a lab and don’t hear back, don’t be afraid to send a quick follow-up email after a reasonable wait.

What will I be expected to do as a research assistant?

This depends entirely on the type of lab you apply to. Some possibilities include analyzing data, running subjects or participants, performing biochemical assays, and helping to manage the day-to-day operation of the lab. Look at the laboratory website to get a better idea of the types of research you might be involved with.

Will I get paid and/or course credit?

There are several options:

Course Credit: Most students earn Independent Study credits for working in a lab. Independent Study counts as an elective and students earn a grade at the end of the semester based on their lab performance. It is expected that students work 3-4 hours a week per 1 credit. Most students take 3 credits and work 9-12 hours per week. If a student has completed 2 semesters of Independent Study, they can take Collaborative Research credits for an additional 2 semesters (and similar expectations apply).
Work study: Some students are eligible for Work Study and can get paid via Work Study for lab work. This option depends on the lab’s funding, so opportunities may vary.
Grants and Funding Opportunities: There are several grants for undergraduates to complete research projects in a laboratory. These include: the CARAS Research/Creative Project Grant, the Diamond Research Scholars program, and the LAURA award.

What will my schedule be like?

Typically, students are expected to work during normal business hours and in 3-5-hour timeslots. However, this can vary depending on the lab and project needs.

What year should I apply to work in a lab?

You can apply to work in a lab at any point during your undergraduate career. However, waiting until your senior year is not a good idea because 1) You may not be able to get into a lab on the first try, and 2) Laboratories generally prefer applicants that can work in the lab for more than a semester or two. Starting earlier is also advantageous, because it may give you enough time to be given your own project! Generally speaking, your sophomore and junior years are the best times to apply.

I keep hearing the term “PI”. Who or what is a PI?

PI stands for “principal investigator”. The PI is the professor who heads the lab. In addition to the PI, the lab might have a Postdoc (someone who has earned their PhD “relatively” recently and is working in the lab to gain more experience), a Lab Manager/Technicians (someone who is employed by the lab to manage its operation or conduct research for the PI), graduate students, and undergraduate research assistants.

What can I do to increase the chances that I get into a lab?

There are several things you can do to stand out from other applicants. Below are some important ones:

Do your research beforehand. Find some recent papers published by the lab and familiarize yourself with the types of research the lab does. Note that the PI will often be the last author on publications from the lab (if the PI is a middle author it is usually a collaboration and not a main line of research). When you email the lab, make it clear that you are familiar with the lab and not just applying randomly. Also, be enthusiastic about the potential opportunity.
Be willing to commit time to the lab.
Be professional in your emails and other interactions. Address the PI as “Dr.” in
all correspondence. You may notice others in the lab being less formal in their interactions, but err on the side of professionalism, at least at first!

Neuroscience