“The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences offers research opportunities for students who register for PBSI 491 under the direction of a professor. These intensive research experiences put students into teams with faculty and graduate students to work on original research projects. This valuable, hands-on training in research skills prepares students for both graduate work in specific domains as well as in scientific thinking for future employment. In addition to the scientific training that students receive, PBSI 491 provides students with the opportunity to establish professional relationships with other undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty members. These collaborators and mentors frequently work with students on their post-baccalaureate plans and applications."
LOOKING FOR RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES (PBSI 491)?
Summer & Fall 2025 Research List Coming Soon
OBTAINING A RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY (PBSI 491)
The first step to obtaining a PBSI 491 research opportunity is to look at the upcoming semester’s research lab openings (see the link to the current semester’s research opportunities above.) The upcoming semester’s research list is usually posted in March for the Summer/Fall of that year and in October for the Spring of the following year.
When the new list is posted, look over the spreadsheet and decide which research laboratories interest you. Showing interest in the lab either by google form application or email to a lab representative should be done in a timely manner as labs tend to fill quickly. If you are selected by a faculty member to work in their lab, you will be required to register for a PBSI 491.
Participation in any of the experiences listed above requires that you and the instructor complete a contract that details the expectations for working on the project. These forms are below.
- PBSI 491 NEUROSCIENCE MAJORS ONLY CONTRACT – Prerequisite; approval of instructor
- PBSI 491 PSYCHOLOGY AND OTHER MAJORS CONTRACT – Prerequisite; approval of instructor
Opportunities for research will be posted outside of the advising office (Milner Hall Room 205) as they are received. After you’ve spoken to a faculty member about participating in their research lab, bring one of the above contracts to the professor, and then email the form to psycadvising@tamu.edu during the open registration time period (see advising tab for information).
OTHER RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
Aggie Research Program – The Aggie Research program consistently releases a list of research teams looking for undergraduates to join their team. This list includes areas/majors of all kinds. Because of this, you can find opportunities outside of the PBSI department that still connect to an area you are interested in. This is another great tool to look for research labs.
https://aggieresearch.tamu.edu/project-list/
Student Research Week. If you or a team are working on your own research project, this is a great opportunity to get experience in presenting your work through oral or poster presentations.
Launch Project: LAUNCH provides high-impact educational experiences and challenges students in all academic disciplines to graduate from an enriched, demanding curriculum. The programs administered by the office bring together outstanding students and faculty to build a community of knowledge-producers, life-long learners, nationally-recognized scholars, and world citizens. Through LAUNCH, motivated students have access to research programs that can be customized to enhance each student's personal, professional, and intellectual development.
Go to the Launch Project here!
Talk to an Undergraduate Research Ambassador and learn how to get started and get the most from your Honors and/or Research experiences from a student’s point of view!
Present at Student Research Week