Research Options

There are two research options for undergraduates in our department.

• Research Assistant - a paid undergraduate hourly appointment in which the undergraduate student works for a faculty member. These appointments are most often initiated by the faculty member and advertised in the department.
• Independent Study (CPSC/HORT/PLPA 395: Undergraduate Research or Thesis) - a research experience with course credit provided. These experiences are typically initiated by the student but guided by a faculty member and coordinated through the Undergraduate Office. Below is the process for earning credit for an independent study research project:
  • Student Responsibility

    Students are encouraged to initiate the research experience by discussing their interests and/or potential research opportunities with individual faculty. Students are responsible for making sure they meet the eligibility requirements for the course description they are interested in.

    Students are responsible for keeping communication lines open and making timely progress on the proposal application and the actual research experience. The student should submit periodic progress reports to the faculty supervisor, and a final report summarizing the research project must be completed prior to a grade being assigned.

  • Faculty Member Responsibility

    The faculty member will provide direction to students interested in undergraduate research, including guidance in defining a reasonable experience that is commensurate with credit expected. Both the expected outcomes and associated credit should be made clear to the student prior to enrolling in the class. The faculty member serves as the mentor for the research experience.

  • Form and Approval Process

    Students are required to submit this Undergraduate Research form prior to starting the research project. The form is received by the Academic Advisor & Program Manager. The Academic Advisor & Program Manager obtains final approvals from the Faculty Research Supervisor and the Director of Undergraduate Programs. Once the approvals are obtained, the student will receive the CRN to register with.

Undergraduate Research Across Campus

For more information about undergraduate research across the University of Illinois and how to get started, visit the Office of Undergraduate Research.

Internships

Internships are an excellent opportunity for students to gain real-world experience in crop sciences. Most internships are paid positions advertised and coordinated by individual companies and consultants such as:

• AgReliant Genetics
• BASF
• Chicago Botanic Garden
• Dow AgroSciences
• DuPont Pioneer
• Growmark
• Monsanto
• Syngenta
• U.S. Department of Agriculture

Internships are also offered and coordinated by on-campus organizations. Students can also earn credit for this undergraduate experience, through CPSC 393: Crop Sciences Internship or HORT 393: Horticulture Internship.

Requirements

To earn internship credit for CPSC/HORT 393, students are required to write a 5 page paper (double-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, 1 ” margins) summarizing the internship experience (what you did, what you learned, how the internship has affected your perspective of agriculture, and how it has shaped your career plans). This paper assignment will be turned into to the Director of Undergraduate Programs for a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grade.

Form and Approval Process

Students are required to submit this Internship form prior to starting the internship experience. The form is received by the Academic Advisor & Program Manager. The Academic Advisor & Program Manager obtains internship approval from the Director of Undergraduate Programs. Once the approval is obtained, the student will receive the CRN to register with.

Many of our students work part-time while going to school and/or complete paid internships with highly sought-after agriculture companies. Internships provide a great way for students to network and often lead to job offers after graduation.

Students intern with:

• AgReliant Genetics
• BASF
• Chicago Botanic Garden
• Dow AgroSciences
• DuPont Pioneer
• Growmark
• Monsanto
• Syngenta
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Additional companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations

Learn more about careers in Crop Sciences.