Undergraduate research experiences
Enhance your undergraduate program with a research experience.
By working with our academics and partners on laboratory projects, you'll experience working in a formal research environment and discover the types of investigations that are being undertaken in your field of interest.
To gain extra laboratory experience you can choose research-intensive courses and take part in summer and winter research projects, industry partner projects and internships.
Research-intensive courses
BIOC2000: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
This course covers the key principles of biochemistry and molecular biology.
You'll work with peers in a supported environment on a real research project in the undergraduate laboratories.
You can opt into this ALURE course instead of the regular LEAPS practical sessions. Lab and assessment time demands are similar for both programs.
Find out more about BIOC2000: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
BIOC3005: Molecular Systems Biology
This course will introduce you to key “-omics” techniques used to analyse cellular physiology at the system level and includes both a nine-week proteomics practical based on ongoing research projects and a short, two-week metabolomics practical.
You will
- learn how to generate and analyse a proteome dataset and interpret your final data to answer a research question
- gain experience in how to analyze complex and large datasets that is relevant in many fields of research and future employment
- develop workplace relevant skills, including carrying out risk assessment and working in small research teams
Find out more about BIOC3005: Molecular Systems Biology
CHEM1200: Chemistry 2
This course provides an introduction to chemistry as a molecular science and builds on the material presented in CHEM1100.
You can opt in to the CURE practicals in the second semester offering of this course.
You'll receive training as a group of three students in organic chemistry for the first three lab sessions, before your group comes up with a research question that you answer, working in the second set of three lab sessions later in the semester.
Find out more about CHEM1200: Chemistry 2
MICR2000: Microbiology & Immunology
This practical course will teach you about pathogen identification and clinical diagnostics.
You will:
- learn and apply laboratory techniques used in identifying microbial pathogens in infectious and immunological diseases
- develop research skills readily applicable to biotechnology, biomedical and clinical workplaces.
Find out more about MICR2000: Microbiology & Immunology
MICR3003: Molecular Microbiology
This practical course will teach you modern cloning strategies and rapid vaccine development. You'll also learn about antimicrobial screening and development. The work you undertake will directly correlate to real microbiology research projects.
You will:
- identify and isolate microbial genes implicated as vaccine targets their rapid translation towards vaccine development
- gain hands-on experience of antimicrobial compound screening and lead compound characterisation techniques
- develop professional scientific skills to prepare you for honours and postgraduate research programs and/or employment.
Find out more about MICR3003: Molecular Microbiology
SCIE3260: Introduction to Research in Chemistry, Biochemistry & Microbiology (A)
This course offers a unique opportunity to develop core research skills relevant to a wide spectrum of chemical or biological research, including written and oral communication, skills in making scientific observations, and recording and analysing data by participating in an individual or group research project associated with a discipline of interest to you.
You can take this course as a summer vacation course, or in semesters 1 or 2, and gain #2 credit towards your degree.
Download the SCIE3260/1 application form (PDF, 191.5 KB)
Find out more about SCIE3260: Introduction to Research in Chemistry, Biochemistry & Microbiology
Visit our projects page to see the opportunities available for Introduction to Research projects.
Honours projects
Visit our projects page to see the opportunities available for honours projects, including industry projects.
UQ Summer and Winter Research Programs
UQ Winter Research Program
Undergraduates who have completed at least one year of study at the time of application, and master's by coursework students, can apply for a UQ Winter Research Scholarship.
The program runs for four to 6 weeks over the winter vacation period (from mid-June to mid-July).
All successful winter scholars receive a scholarship, and you can count your participation towards attainment of the UQ Employability Award.
Find out more about the UQ Winter Research Program.
UQ Summer Research Program
Undergraduates and postgraduates can apply to engage in a research internship over the summer vacation period (from mid-November to mid-February).
All successful summer scholars receive a scholarship, and you can count your participation towards attainment of the UQ Employability Award.
Find out more about the UQ Summer Research Program.
Internships and industry placements
Depending on your area of interest, you can get research experience by undertaking an internship or industry placement.