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osu undergraduate research opportunities

Undergraduate Research

At Ohio State, engineers conduct research with doctors, physicists, designers, artists and experts in many other fields. Engineering undergraduate students are encouraged to participate in the wide array of opportunities generated by our faculty. Each spring students enjoy multiple outlets to share their work, including Ohio State’s annual Denman Undergraduate Research Forum and the college’s undergraduate research forum .

Margaret Cron wears a lab coat and leans over a bench, pulling a fluid out of a jar.

Benefits of undergraduate research

  • Help solve the world’s greatest challenges
  • Access world-class facilities, equipment and mentors
  • Work alongside faculty and graduate students
  • Gain early exposure to engineering (students can start research in their first year!)
  • Prepare for graduate school or a career in research and development

Getting started

Ready to follow your investigational instincts through undergraduate research? Here are a few ways to find a project:

  • Reach out to an instructor with whom you’ve had a course.
  • Search departmental and faculty websites for information on current projects.
  • Visit the  Undergraduate Research Office  to learn more about research, attend an information session and discover opportunities.
  • Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your interest in research and what steps you can take next.

Apply for positions

Apply directly for positions on Handshake: Undergraduate Research – College of Engineering – The Ohio State University .

To be considered for one of these positions, please complete an application on Handshake*.

  • Statement of Research Interest – (max 1000 characters)
  • Current Resume (pdf or Word document)
  • Ohio State Advising Report / Transcript

Research Distinction

Research that culminates in the production of an undergraduate research thesis allows students to receive the designation of “With Research Distinction” or “With Honors Research Distinction” on their diploma. Visit  Distinction Guidelines for more information.

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More Information

Distinction Guidelines

Undergraduate Research Scholarship

Research Projects

Denman Forum

Undergraduate Research Forum

Summer Research Scholarship

Research Outreach and Service

The Ohio State University

  • BuckeyeLink
  • Search Ohio State

osu undergraduate research opportunities

Undergraduate Research

.cls-1{fill:#a91e22;}.cls-2{fill:#c2c2c2;} double-arrow undergraduate research.

Ohio State is a leading research institution, with outstanding faculty and opportunities for students to be engaged with research at a number of different levels. Consider getting involved with research to build connections with faculty, to develop stronger analytical and problem-solving skills, to become an expert in a topic, or to prepare for a graduate or professional program. 

Why pursue undergraduate research?

  • It is an opportunity to go beyond coursework experiences and establish practical skills to tackle engineering problems.
  • It is an opportunity to explore a specialization of your interest in mechanical and aerospace engineering.
  • You distinguish yourself from your peers, a significant factor recognized in pursuing a job.
  • Being involved with research as an undergraduate is an excellent way to help prepare you for graduate school.
  • It can be a rewarding and fun experience to meet peers with similar technical interests!

.cls-1{fill:#a91e22;}.cls-2{fill:#c2c2c2;} double-arrow Exploring Undergraduate Research at Ohio State

  • Graduating with Research Distinction in Engineering
  • Research Labs and Centers in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Enginee…
  • Undergraduate Research Office
  • Denman Undergraduate Research Forum
  • Undergraduate Research Forum for Engineering & Architecture
  • Journal of Undergraduate Research at Ohio State
  • Summer Research Scholarship Program
  • Research Outreach and Service (TEK-8)
  • College of Engineering Honors Program

.cls-1{fill:#a91e22;}.cls-2{fill:#c2c2c2;} double-arrow Finding a Research Advisor

Undergraduate research is one of the opportunities that students can pursue to complement their coursework and differentiate themselves as they build up a range of technical experiences to prepare for a future profession. 

How to Find Undergraduate Research/Honors Opportunities

  • Speak with faculty about your interest in undergraduate research!
  • Which instructors have you enjoyed learning from? What classes did you find interesting? These instructors may already have research projects defined that would be appropriate for undergraduate work. 
  • Is there a topic in which you've developed an interest? If so, you could propose a research idea to a faculty member associated with your area of interest.
  • Students who have been admitted to the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering majors have access to a Carmen webpage which includes a wide range of information regarding current undergraduate research opportunities and faculty looking for student matches.

.cls-1{fill:#a91e22;}.cls-2{fill:#c2c2c2;} double-arrow Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Research Themes

  • Advanced Aerospace Systems
  • Advanced Automotive Systems
  • Bioengineering
  • Design, Materials and Manufacturing
  • Energy and Environmental Quality
  • Micro and Nanotechnology
  • Nuclear Science and Engineering
  • Robotics, Automation and Autonomy

spring

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  1. How undergraduate research drives student success at OSU

    osu undergraduate research opportunities

  2. OSU symposiums showcase undergraduate students’ research

    osu undergraduate research opportunities

  3. OSU symposiums showcase undergraduate students’ research

    osu undergraduate research opportunities

  4. Students benefit from funded undergraduate research

    osu undergraduate research opportunities

  5. Undergraduate Research at OSU

    osu undergraduate research opportunities

  6. Program allows for OSU undergraduate summer research

    osu undergraduate research opportunities

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