Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Undergraduate Research will Boost Your Education and Career
Detroit Mercy is different! Even as a freshman, you can start asking questions and discovering new knowledge through hands-on research.
As an undergraduate, you’ll have opportunities to:
- Work closely with faculty and peers on real research projects
- Build skills and experience to strengthen your resume
- Grow your network and get mentorship from faculty and alumni in your field
- Contribute to publications and presentations — you could even be a published researcher as an undergrad
- Gain a competitive edge for professional school or your future career
Get involved in research early
The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program offers paid research opportunities for students interested in a career in science or research.
Incoming Freshmen:
First-year science students can choose a research experience in their first semester. Students in the SEA-PHAGE Laboratory are part of a national consortium to isolate and characterize new bacteriophage.
The Research in Chemistry Experience is perfect for incoming freshmen (Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology or Science Undecided majors).
Research Concentrations
The Research concentrations within the BS Chemistry and BS Biology majors are designed for students who are interested in pursuing further research in graduate school or careers in industry, medicine, and science education.
Where to start?
The Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunities (OURS + GO) is your starting point for research at Detroit Mercy. Visit us in Eng 125. We’ll help connect you with mentors, funded opportunities, and the support you need to begin your research journey.
- Talk with a faculty member you know. Ask if they have room for an undergraduate student in their lab.
- Explore faculty profiles and click on faculty member’s name of interest.
- Explore research:
- Reach out professionally. Send a short, polite email introducing yourself, explaining your interest in their research, and asking if they are available to meet and discuss opportunities.
Research Across the College
College of Engineering & Science Research Symposium
Each year, CES hosts a Research Symposium to showcase the amazing work of our undergraduate and graduate students.
Hundreds of guests—including corporate partners and community members—attend to see how UDM students solve real-world problems and make a difference.
Faces on Design is a hands-on, patient-centered program that team senior Engineering & Science and advanced Nursing students to create innovative solutions for people with disabilities.
Student teams design and build one-of-a-kind assistive devices to improve quality of life for members of our community.
Undergraduate Research Week (URW)
Undergraduate Research Week (URW) honors the achievements of students involved in research and creative projects.
At Detroit Mercy, the Biology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry departments host events to showcase student work and celebrate discovery.
During your senior year at Detroit Mercy, you'll work on a real-world capstone project. A capstone project is a tangible, challenging project, provided by professional engineers, that is designed to have a positive impact on the world.
Learning Centers and Labs
William L. Koyzra Center for Automotive Systems Engineering Education
The 5,200-square-foot William L. Kozyra Center for Automotive Systems Engineering Education (CASEE) gives students space to work together on hands-on projects. These include vehicle design competitions, robotics, and autonomous vehicle development.
iNSPIRE Lab Learning Center
Here, as an undergrad student, you do real research. The iNSPIRE Lab is a place to explore ideas, collaborate with peers and work side by side with faculty mentors.
Robotics / Advanced Mobility Laboratory (AML)
The Advanced Mobility Laboratory (AML) at University of Detroit Mercy is a hands-on research space for robotics and autonomous vehicles.
When working in any laboratory, your safety is our main concern.