Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate students at Penn State find many opportunities for getting involved in research. It's as simple as finding a faculty member with similar interests and asking how you get get involved!

All students in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences are encouraged to participate in undergraduate research while a student in the college. Students may earn course credit or a stipends for their work. Participation can be during any semester and at any time as an undergraduate student.

College Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) — The Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) is an eight-week research program designed to interest talented undergraduate students from underrepresented groups in academic careers and to enhance their preparation for graduate study through intensive research experiences with faculty mentors. In addition to the research experience, the program includes professional development workshops, seminars, field trips, and social activities.

University-level Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Undergraduate Education: Research Opportunities for Undergraduates
Undergraduate Education promotes undergraduate research and creative endeavors by providing project and conference travel support and hosting an exhibition of student work each year. Working with faculty mentors, students engaged in research connect with a disciplinary community and share in the excitement of discovery. View resources below:

Undergraduate Education: Research Projects
View list of projects availaible with EMS faculty.

Erickson Discovery Grant Program
Program supports undergraduate student engagement in original research, scholarship, and creative work under the direct supervision of a faculty member - available for summer semester.

Conference Travel Support
Penn State undergraduates who are presenting the results of their research or creative work at national or regional professional conferences may request financial support to defray the costs of attendance at the conference.

Research and Poster Exhibitions

EMS Undergraduate Poster Exhibition
The EMS poster exhibition provides an opportunity for undergraduate students in EMS to showcase their research, and connect and share their work with other students, faculty, staff, and the community.

College of Engineering Research Symposium (CERS)
CERS 2017 showcases the cutting-edge interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary research that is being conducted at Penn State in paper and poster formats.

Penn State Interdisciplinary Environmental Research Symposium (PIERS)
PIERS is an annual student run symposium held at Penn State’s University Park campus, which brings together graduate students, undergraduate students, and faculty members engaged in environmentally relevant research.

Penn State Undergraduate Exhibition
Penn State's annual Undergraduate Exhibition communicates and celebrates the participation of undergraduate students from across the University in research and creative endeavors.

Featured Undergraduate Research

Bridget Reheard loves fishing, the outdoors and nature in general. She's passionate about advancing her research skills so that she can make a difference in the areas she loves. She found her research home working with Dr. Susan Brantley, a decorated geochemist who has been researching human impact on the Earth systems for decades.

Department of Geosciences

College Undergraduate Research Opportunities

University-level Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Research and Poster Exhibitions

External Competitions

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

Featured Undergraduate Research