Research resources

The Aresty Research Center's mission is to facilitate faculty-led undergraduate research at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. The center enables students to learn about the process of research by connecting them with faculty mentors and projects that aid in developing their ability to create research objectives. The center connects hundreds of undergraduates with hands-on research experiences and/or funding opportunities through our highly competitive and structured processes designed for our signature programs. Students of all grade levels are welcomed to excel and expand their undergraduate research experience through our center. Aresty also provides a platform for students to present their research findings to the university and the general public at our annual Research Symposium.

Byrne Seminars are small, one-credit courses taught by Rutgers’ world-renowned faculty who come from departments and professional schools across the university. Limited to 20 students per section, each unique seminar introduces students to the professor’s area of expertise and their latest research. The Byrne program is open to all first-year students during the fall and spring semesters. Students who take a Byrne often find that studying with a professor in a small seminar has a profound impact on their collegiate experience, including connecting them to campus resources,  peers with similar interests, and new opportunities for majors or fields of research. For a full listing of seminars, check out https://nbprovost.rutgers.edu/byrne-seminars 

The Collaborative Center for Community Engagement is dedicated to supporting campus-community partnerships to advance the public good in our New Brunswick and Piscataway communities, throughout the state of New Jersey, and beyond. The Collaborative oversees programs like Advancing Community Development (a competitive semester-long program for 12 students who do research in the area of health in the New Brunswick community and receive mentors from Johnson & Johnson which is funded by a gift from J&J), the Bonner Leaders program (a highly selective program for 50 Federal Work-Study students who do their hours at partners on and off-campus working on special projects), a Community Walking Tour that examines food, architecture, and the cultural communities of New Brunswick, and the giving of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for New Brunswick students who meet the criteria.

The Office of Career Exploration and Success (CES) offers Employer Networking & Information Sessions. Join us for these events where employers provide students with details about the various career options and benefits offered by their organization.

The George H. Cook Scholars Program is the senior thesis program for the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. Working under the mentorship of an approved advisor, students in the program conduct original basic and applied research in the natural and health sciences, economics, and public policy, design or evaluate environmental infrastructure, or produce original works in other areas of scholarship. Projects are planned and initiated by at least the end of the second semester of the junior year, and students present their results in a written thesis and orally at a research symposium in the second semester of the senior year. Project advisors are typically members of the Rutgers faculty, but may also include academics and appropriate professionals from other institutions.

Get a jump start on developing your plans by reading the Career & Internship Guide developed by the Office of Career Exploration and Success.  This guide contains information on exploring careers and majors, polishing your resume, implementing job search strategies, planning for graduate school, and much more.

Research is integral to the Honors College experience. Incoming students conduct interdisciplinary research on global issues in their first-year mission course, the Forum, and continue up through specialized, faculty-supervised Capstone projects in all schools and departments in their senior years. The Honors College works closely with the Aresty Research Center, supporting structured programs for faculty and students to collaborate on advanced investigations and experiments with financial and academic credit support. Every Fall, HC students are invited to the Career and Research Mixer to network with Honors College Graduate Mentors, seasoned professionals, and HC juniors and seniors to learn about research opportunities at Rutgers and beyond and get an insider's understanding of what research entails in various disciplines. Upperclassmen are mentored by HC Graduate Mentors regarding presentation practices for academic research. These resources are available only to Honors College students.

The Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship Academy (IDEA) integrates design and entrepreneurial thinking into the student experience to support learning pathways for first-year students to discover and explore their interests through meaningful engagement with community organizations. During the program, students take part in research, design challenges, and entrepreneurial thinking, as well as contribute to interdisciplinary projects focused on solving complex societal challenges. IDEA’s innovation studio provides space for students to explore the innovation process through workshops, pitch competitions, and guided inquiry.

The Office of Career Exploration and Success (CES) offers an extensive interviewing program. Each year employers work with the Office of Career Exploration and Success to conduct thousands of interviews during the fall and spring semesters and select candidates for full-time, internship, and part-time opportunities. Employers recruit from a wide variety of RU majors and programs. The Interview Program (IP) is free and easy, provides you with access to some of the top employers in the region and country, and is available exclusively to RU students. We help coordinate the interviews via Rutgers Handshake on campus, in-person at the Busch Student Center, or virtually.

The James J. Slade Scholars Program is a selective, research-focused option open to engineering students in the third year who have maintained a 3.2 university cumulative grade point average. The Slade Scholars Program honors long-time School of Engineering faculty member James J. Slade: a noted researcher, mathematician, and professor for 36 years. His commitment to teaching, scholarly excellence, and impact on students was legendary and continues to resonate through this prestigious research program.

The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program at Rutgers University–New Brunswick is a non-medical science program, sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The program is designed to increase the interest, retention, graduation, and success of students from racial and ethnic groups that are historically underrepresented in non-medical (STEM) fields.

Students in the LSAMP program are provided academic support, including but not limited to:

• Faculty-mentored research, including paid summer research opportunities and international experiences
• Travel funding to present research projects at conferences, conduct international research, and/or compete in STEM competitions
• Tutoring with Rutgers Learning Center staff
• Workshops to assist with preparing for and applying to graduate school
• GRE Prep courses and ALEKS Online Course

The LSAMP program at Rutgers–New Brunswick is one of nine members of the Garden State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (GS-LSAMP). Other members include Essex County College, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Kean University, Montclair State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Rutgers University–Newark, and William Paterson University.

The Psychology Department Faculty offer opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in research in their labs.   For more information, please check our website to find a lab that meets your research interests.

The Rutgers Astronomical Society (RAS) is open to all members of the Rutgers community and housed in the Serin Physics & Astronomy Building on the Busch Campus.  

The mission of the Rutgers Astronomical Society is to unite those who are fascinated with the vastness of space and are interested in discussing and observing the cosmos. The organization endeavors to make astronomy accessible for anyone with even the slightest interest by providing viewing opportunities, informative seminars, academic collaboration, and more. The RAS  is run by undergraduate students who are motivated in providing the best experience for both visitors and members alike. RAS hosts weekly public observing nights weather permitting.

RAS also wants to provide a unique and fun experience for our members by teaching, accomplishing projects using the available , and establishing a tight-knit community with people from a range of backgrounds. Programs include the Astrophotography group, where students meet to learn how to take astrophotography with and without telescopes, relevant software, and can capture the cosmos on camera!

RAS meetings are held in 330W in Serin every Thursday night. Public Observing Nights are 8:30 pm on Thursday Nights, weather permitting.  The first Thursday of every month is restricted to RAS members.  

The Collaborative Center for Community-Based Research and Service fosters campus-community partnerships that provide students meaningful community engagement opportunities that connect to their academic pursuits.  Students can be involved through our on-going programs where they can mentor local children, serve as research assistants, contribute to making our local food system more equitable, etc.  Most of our programs allow students to receive academic credit for their participation and provide a framework for understanding the community and reflect upon their service.  By engaging in long-term service opportunities, students gain workplace skills, build networks, and learn leadership skills.

Rutgers Handshake offered by the Office of Career Exploration and Success (CES) is the #1 platform for all things related to career exploration, finding an internship, on-campus or off-campus positions, or landing a job opportunity post-grad. Students can utilize Rutgers Handshake to access thousands of job and internship listings in the system. They can also schedule appointments with career advisors, read employer reviews from other students, network with employers, register for events, access exclusive online resources, and much more.

The Rutgers Makerspace is a collaborative workspace designed for students, faculty, and staff from all academic disciplines who love to learn, design, and create. We provide the tools, workspace, and training to enable you to design and create whatever you can dream up. Using our machines is free, although there is a charge for any materials/consumables that we provide.

The Rutgers Makerspace provides resources, both physical and educational, for users to learn and develop a vast variety of making skills, including 3D Printing and Design, Digital Fabrication and Manufacturing, and more traditional making methods like woodworking and sewing. The Makerspace also serves as a resource to incorporate experiential learning and making elements into existing curriculum across the University.

The Livingston Makerspace is free to all current Rutgers faculty, staff, and students.  We offer a large variety of DIY equipment including 3D printers, electronics, framing, laser cutters/engravers, woodshop, textiles, and more! You can work on a class project, pursue your favorite hobby, or spark your entrepreneurial spirit.  Semester Hours: M-F 1pm-9pm and Winter Break / Summer Hours are M-F 12pm-5pm.  Stop in for a tour to learn more.   

SEBS EOF prepares students to solve challenging societal problems. Focused on access, academic excellence, and research, SEBS EOF cultivates students' capacity to make adaptive changes in their educational development and overcome historic socioeconomic factors that challenge their potential for success. SEBS EOF provides services that assist students in navigating the complexities of an academic and social climate within a global environment, and help facilitate an understanding of what is required to succeed in college as a science major. We educate researchers, scientists, and health professionals, promoting learning outcomes that produce first-generation college graduates and high-achieving STEM professionals.

Society of Physics Students is one of the most active chapters in the US-wide organization.  It hosts professional development sessions, research and career talks, and near peer mentoring of 1st and 2nd year students.  Most of the 100s of physics and astrophysics majors participate in SPS and its events every semester.

Studying abroad can expand the boundaries of your education and transform the world into your classroom.

Rutgers Global-Study abroad is committed to making global learning possible for every student.

• Get inspired by our list of study abroad programs.
• Prepare academically by reviewing courses you can take.
• Focus on funding and get ahead with researching scholarship opportunities and get a free passport.

Beyond these resources and initial steps, come to our office (102 College Ave) and talk with an advisor about your global journey that awaits!

The Office of Distinguished Fellowships helps Rutgers undergraduates applying for nationally and internationally competitive scholarships and fellowships. These awards are external, funded opportunities tied to experiential learning, such as research, study abroad, service, and professional development.

Our Fellowships Advisors help you through all stages of the application process, from helping you assess your fit for specific awards, to asking for letters of recommendation, to reviewing personal statements, up until you "hit submit!"

Some examples of awards you may have heard of include the Fulbright, Goldwater, Truman, and Rhodes and Schwarzman Scholarships, but there are many more. 

Undergraduate esearch in Physics and Astrophysics : Every semester about 25 students are engaged in research with faculty members in physics or astrophysics either as part of a 2-semester senior honors project or individual research projects.  Rising seniors demonstrating academic excellence are invited to complete a 2-semester honors research project.  Students interested in research in physics can also contact upd@physics.rutgers.edu for special permission to conduct research for credit.