UCLA
Undergraduate Science Journal
Resources
Whether you are interested in conducting research in a UCLA lab, looking for tools to improve your scientific writing, or searching for summer programs, USJ has compiled resources to help you with your research goals.
Getting Involved
The URC–Sciences is the central resource for undergraduate science research at UCLA, offering workshops, programs, and individualized guidance to help students find and apply to research opportunities.
This online portal allows students to create a profile, browse, and apply for open research opportunities with faculty across all disciplines.
SRP 99 (lower-division) and departmental 199 (upper-division) courses provide academic credit for students working on faculty-led research projects.
​The Career Center offers workshops and advising on how to find research internships and jobs in industry or at external institutes.
The annual URW in Spring provides a platform for undergraduates to present their work, gain feedback, and celebrate their accomplishments.
Faculty Research Listings
Students can explore the faculty profiles page on their department’s website to find a lab that aligns with their interests.
Manuscript Writing
The Writing Center offers free consultations and workshops to help students at any stage of the writing process, including crafting research papers.
These guides provide step-by-step assistance with common research questions, including how to find/cite sources and effectively structure research papers.
The Journal of Young Investigators (JYI) provides writing guides tailored for undergraduate researchers, offering detailed instructions on writing scientific papers, structuring abstracts, and preparing for publication.
Purdue OWL is a comprehensive catalog of guidelines for writing papers, including citation formatting (e.g., APA, MLA) and writing style tips.
Textbooks
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How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper by Barbara Gastel and Robert A. Day
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​A Student Handbook for Writing in Biology by Karen Knisely
Summer Programs and Funding
URFP provides financial support and training for early-stage undergraduate researchers, helping students hone their research skills and develop independent research projects.
URSP offers financial support to upper-class undergraduates conducting advanced research, guiding students through completing and presenting their research projects.
SPUR offers summer opportunities for students to conduct full-time research, receive mentorship, and often earn stipends for their work.
The CSSE provides guidance on applying for local and national scholarships, helping students secure funding for their research and academic pursuits.
This prestigious award recognizes outstanding undergraduate research projects presented at Undergraduate Research Week and offers a cash prize.
These grants provide financial assistance for students presenting research at conferences or traveling to conduct research.