Is Participating in Research as an Undergrad Worth It?

[preceptor1919]

Our instructor in program design asked our class if any of us wants to participate in his research. I am thinking of applying but I am wondering if it's worth it considering that even after this sem,my only knowledge will only about basic java. Any thoughts?

 

[jedishrfu]

It would be a good experience. In the real world, you often use basic Java concepts in bigger team based projects where you have to read and understand other people's code before you implement your own.

He might even use tools like maven for build, SVN for code mgmt and eclipse or Netbeans for development and debug and so your skill level will dramatically increase.

Also it's good for your resume.

 

[preceptor1919]

Thanks forthe input. I was already leaning towards applying but I was wondering if it was really worth it given that it will take some of time and as a freshman I still haven't learned how to manage my time properly.Follow up question: Is there a difference if a research is done in a university? Because we are in a college and I think that he will do his research on his own.

 

[jedishrfu]

The only difference I know of is a university has more resources and can do bigger scale research. Colleges often have limited budgets and profs will do smaller projects with one or undergrad helpers.

At my college, I helped a prof with a study of LCD crystal structure. He wanted to study the helical structure of a Liguria crystal when sandwiched between two plates of glass while an electric current was applied along with a heat source. I designed a small holder for the crystal where heating wire could be wrapped and the goal was to have it evenly heated.

 

[preceptor1919]

Wow that sounds interesting

I think my instructor's research will be about machine learning or automatic speech recognition,basing from his past works

 

[jedishrfu]

...helical structure of a Liguria crystal...

That would be liquid crystal... I don't know where my iPad got Liguria from? Liguria is a coastal region in Italy...

 

[stinsonbr]

This is not my field (Aerospace here), however I would argue that it is ALWAYS a good thing to get into research during undergrad if you have the opportunity. It gives you a chance to actually apply things, learn more beyond what is in the classroom, and it is one of the best resume builders you can get during college. And you also can get paid.