Research labs
Explore your options and take a deep dive into the visionary research being conducted at Baskin Engineering.
Find funding
There are many options to help fund your undergraduate research, including external funding, funding for UC students, and departmental and college grants.
International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM)
UCSC undergraduates taking Biomolecular Engineering (BME) 188 A & B, Synthetic Biology Mentored Research, participate in a multi-disciplinary, collaborative research experience working on a project in synthetic biology. Working with one or more research faculty member(s), student teams will complete a substantial project. This includes multiple oral/written presentations, and a formal conference presentation at the annual iGEM Competition, which brings together student teams from around the world to present synthetic biology projects that aim to address 21st century societal challenges.
Corporate Sponsored Senior Projects Program (CSSPP)
Baskin School of Engineering’s Corporate Sponsored Senior Projects Program (CSSPP) fosters deep and valuable relationships with the Silicon Valley business community through student, faculty and corporate engagement.
Dean’s Awards for research excellence
Each year, 10 notable undergraduate research projects are granted Baskin Engineering Dean’s Awards, which recognize exceptional achievement in engineering research. Each year’s projects demonstrate excellence in a range of fields, including synthetic biology, deep learning, microfluidics, and mathematical modeling.
Award recipients are determined by a committee of Baskin Engineering faculty, who take into consideration the quality, innovation, and creativity of students’ senior capstone or research projects.
Featured research news
Capstone to console: UC Santa Cruz student-developed game releasing to Nintendo Switch
The soon to be released, interactive, fast-paced game Squish was developed by UCSC engineering and arts, games, & playable media students.
UCSC students behind bus tracking app selected as only U.S. team in Google Solution Challenge’s top 10
The competition, which invites thousands of students worldwide to compete, tasks students to come up with technical solutions that contribute to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development goals.
Interdisciplinary team wins Small Farm prize in first-ever Farm Robotics Challenge
An interdisciplinary team of students and researchers created an autonomous weeder which was recently recognized with the Small Farm prize at the inaugural Farm Robotics Challenge.
Tips for finding a research opportunity
Research opportunities abound for Baskin students. Programs include the world recognized UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute, home to biomedical engineers who first assembled, and recently completed, the human genome. The school’s computer game design major is ranked nationally in the top 10 undergraduate degree programs. Students are working with faculty on advances in cyber-physical systems, security, and artificial intelligence — just a few of many exciting projects. Finding a research opportunity is a process that will take time and commitment – we’re here to help.
What are you interested in?
- What classes have engaged your imagination?
- What causes or topics are you passionate about?
- Research areas grouped by topic
- Research areas by department:
- Applied Mathematics
- Biomolecular Engineering
- Computational Media
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Statistics
- Engineering Management Programs
What are your goals?
- What do you hope to gain from undergraduate research?
- Do you need a position to help you get a job after you graduate? To help you get into graduate school?
- Do you need a paid position? Do you need academic credit? (You can’t get paid and get credit for a position.)
- Does the position require transportation?
What are your resources?
- Look at professor’s research interests
- Look into the Corporate Sponsored Senior Project Program
- Search the UCSC Research Opportunities Database
- Look at Other Research Opportunities
- Search Pathways to Science (fill out the form for them to email you with opportunities)
- Academic Options & the Senior Exit Requirement
- Research Related Opportunities on Handshake
- Talk to other students, including graduate students, who are doing research and ask how they got started
- Go to office hours and ask your instructors about their work
- Visit your Department’s or Division’s Academic Adviser
- Visit the Career Success website
- Join a student organization
- Investigate other online resources, such as WebGURU, guide for undergraduate research
More Undergrad research stories
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The UC Santa Cruz International Summer Research Program returns for its second year
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Researchers develop ‘clever’ sensor system to detect and control the complex movements of soft robotic devices
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PBS’s ‘Easter Island Origins’ explores surprising genetic research to help tell the story of the Rapa Nui people