How much responsibilities do undergraduates usually get in a research labs?

[antibody89]

I was wondering how much responsibilities do undergraduates usually get in a research lab. I'm trying to figure out if my research experience is similar to what most undergraduate students have. In my undergrad lab, there were 3 main projects that everyone worked on so nobody had a project that was solely their own, not even the grad students, so it was a very cooperative environment. I did have a project where I did 90% of the work but not sure how sophisticated the project is compared to what other undergrads have done.

 

thanks

Edited December 20, 2013 by antibody89

[biotechie]

It varies. Some undergraduates just do lab chores or mouse genotyping. I had my own project that I had to research and plan experiments for.

[DirtyLabCoat]

Same. I had my own projects that I did my self and with my PIs guidance

[antibody89]

Thanks for the responses...do you think its weird if my project didn't really involve answering a question..it was more of trying to produce something..also how do grad schools view research done in industry? 

[DirtyLabCoat]

Thanks for the responses...do you think its weird if my project didn't really involve answering a question..it was more of trying to produce something..also how do grad schools view research done in industry? 

IMO, my whole goal was to make sure I got industry research experience. I have two stints at Amgen, and another clincal lab, and some others and honestly if you can experience both academic and industry research (and there IS a difference) I think they will look favorably on that. Each requires its own mindset

[antibody89]

IMO, my whole goal was to make sure I got industry research experience. I have two stints at Amgen, and another clincal lab, and some others and honestly if you can experience both academic and industry research (and there IS a difference) I think they will look favorably on that. Each requires its own mindset

 

Nice..I currently work at Roche. I definitely agree that acadamia and industry is pretty different. 

[DirtyLabCoat]

Nice..I currently work at Roche. I definitely agree that acadamia and industry is pretty different. 

 

Then it should be easy for us to get interviews...In theory... lol

[antibody89]

Then it should be easy for us to get interviews...In theory... lol

 

I saw your post with your stats and research background..you will definitely get tons of interviews... I only applied to 1 program and I'm interviewing there next month...I'm just worried how competitive I am compared to the other applicants..

[perfectionist]

I am working on 3 projects right now, 2 of them alone. I'm also the lab manager. Undergrads in my lab are supposed to design their own projects, write a proposal, and carry it out. 

[DirtyLabCoat]

thanks. Roche by itself is super comeptitive to get a job at. I am just worried about my GRE schore and unfortunate chem/orgo grades being blaringly horrible

[DirtyLabCoat]

then again I hope they look past those grades since I'm going for immuno/microbio lol those grades were all As

[biotechie]

All of my experience was in an academic lab setting, but students in my programs got into their PhD programs with industrial lab experience. Experience counts as long as you're in the lab doing experiments. You'll learn the way the PI wants you to do them once you join the lab (or in rotations).

 

Perf, I ended up being lab manager during my MS... it is what made me decide I could actually handle running my own lab.

[medullate]

I'm the only undergrad at my lab right now, so I don't really know what the experience for most undergrads is like. I have a project where I do most of the work but there is a grad student who helps me with the details. The overall project design was based on previous lab projects and this specific one was designed by our whole group. 

[rexzeppelin]

Working in a clinical lab right now for big pharma almost feels like being on an assembly line, there is absolutely zero tolerance for initiative or creativity on the part of the lab scientist since everything has to conform to rigorously standardized SOPs. We even have to read SOPs on how to read SOPs!!! I guess that's just what producing clinical data requires. I know this isn't representative of all industry research but it's definitely a stark contrast to the creative environment of the research I did as an undergrad. 

 

That said I agree with you Dirty that I'm glad I got to experience both sides before starting a PhD, as they are completely different animals. 

 

Oh and don't worry about an errant Orgo grade. I was concerned my C+ in orgo would shut doors for me (and it still might), but it hasn't affected me so far.

 

thanks. Roche by itself is super comeptitive to get a job at. I am just worried about my GRE schore and unfortunate chem/orgo grades being blaringly horrible