All Stony Brook undergraduates—including freshmen and transfer students—are eligible
to participate in independent supervised research and creative activities. Most students
earn academic credit for their research activities (e.g. 487, 488, and/or 499 courses),
although a small number of students are able to be paid as research assistants. Many
students begin as volunteers in a lab, and then apply for credit once they are more
familiar with the lab environment. SB students engaged in a supervised research or
creative project are encouraged to register (even it is for zero credits) so that
the university can track the number of students involved in research.
An early start on research can be valuable; but keep in mind that preparatory coursework
may be required by a faculty mentor and may provide a necessary foundation for doing
substantial research later in your undergraduate career. Students who undertake independent
projects in their junior and senior years still have the opportunity to collaborate
with Stony Brook faculty, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and to become
involved in cutting-edge work.