Path 2

Research Lab

Overview

Path 2, Advanced Independent MIMG Research, allows for students to fulfill the MIMG Major research requirement with their independent MIMG research in a UCLA faculty mentor’s laboratory.

If approved for Path 2, students engage in two-quarters of letter-graded research (through 4-unit contract courses 196A and 196B) and concurrently participate in research seminars (180A and 180B) with other Path 2 students. The 2-unit seminars are designed to help students acquire in-depth and broad knowledge about their research project. Students achieve this goal by evaluating relevant scientific literature, as well as orally presenting and formally writing about their research progress.

Students must be eligible and apply for Path 2 their junior or senior year. Students also should discuss the application process with faculty mentors, together designing a research project to be described in the proposal submitted with other Path 2 application materials.

Path 2 Eligibility Requirements

Eligible students must apply for approval by the departmental curriculum committee to participate in Path 2. Applications must be submitted to the MIMG Undergraduate Student Affairs Officer (1602B MSB) by Friday of week 5 of the preceding quarter in which you plan to begin Path 2 courses 196A and 180A. Approved students who complete Path 2 requirements will not be required to enroll in Path 1 courses.

GPA of 3.0 or higher
Have completed or are in the process of completing a Research Acquaintance (RA) experience in a MIMG research laboratory. The RA may be a 99/SRP, 199 (Letter grade only), or volunteer research experience in a lab for a minimum of 10 hrs per week for at least 10 weeks.

Finding a Path 2 Faculty Mentor

Please see the MIMG Undergraduate Research Guide for steps, resource, and tips on connecting to independent MIMG research in a faculty mentor's lab.

Students need to take the initiative in the search for a faculty mentor, taking the time necessary to consider multiple faculty members and their research areas.
Students must select an MIMG Faculty mentor, choose a pre-approved faculty mentor or petition for their faculty mentor to be approved for Path 2. Students working with non-MIMG faculty should please email MIMG advisors at undergrad@microbio.ucla.edu with their UID and Principal Investigator (P.I.)/faculty mentor for approval information and next steps.

Fulfilling Major Requirements via Path 2

Students interested in an independent research experience in a MIMG faculty member‘s laboratory may fulfill their MIMG major research requirements by completing at least two consecutive quarters of faculty-mentored research (196A the first quarter and 196B the second quarter) alongside concurrent research seminars (180A the first quarter and 180B the second quarter).

The Path 2 courses essentially replace the Path 1 Research Immersion Courses. This option is well-suited for students who develop an interest in research after completing requisite courses in Chemistry and Core Biology. Students who pursue this path are encouraged to begin no later than their third year. Exceptions may be made for transfer students or if space permits.

Students must meet the eligibility requirements and apply for Path 2; admittance is not guaranteed for all eligible students. Students must enroll in Path 1 Research Immersion Courses (a two-course series) within their degree timeline as a back-up for Path 2 (i.e. if graduating in Spring, students must enroll in MIMG 109AL during first-pass for the Winter quarter to allow for completion of 109BL in Spring).

Path 2 Courses

MIMG 180A — Scientific Analysis and Communication I

Students read and discuss scientific articles and give presentations, introducing research topics using relevant primary literature. Class activities also highlight critical aspects of the research process, including record keeping, ethics, laboratory safety and citizenry, mechanics of scientific writing, diverse approaches to research, and project responsibilities and ownership. Emphasis is on students acquiring in-depth and broad knowledge about their research projects, improving oral and written communication skills, and developing a full appreciation of the process of doing good science and becoming skilled researchers.
Enforced co-requisite: course 196A.

MIMG 180B — Scientific Analysis and Communication II

Students give presentations similar to research symposium talk in which speakers discuss project goals, methodological approaches, results, and conclusions. Emphasis is on learning how to write research papers as well as prepare and present scientific posters. The end goal is for students to produce deliverables that demonstrate research achievements and lead to publications. These experiences should create a sense of pride for the work accomplished as skilled researchers.
Enforced co-requisite: course 196A.

MIMG 196A — Research Apprenticeship I

Designed for undergraduates who are interested in pursuing inquiry-based and hypothesis-driven research experience in the laboratory of a faculty mentor. This is a guided research course that must be performed in conjunction with a seminar (MIMG 180A) and it is followed by a continuation research course (course ). The technical aspects of the course will vary depending upon the specific laboratory; however, all students will learn how to apply the scientific method, that is: propose a hypothesis, identify experiments to address the hypothesis, perform experiments and analyze results. Students also will learn how to record information from experimental activities into laboratory notebooks, to present their research in laboratory meetings, and to write a research progress report.
Enforced co-requisite: course 180A.

MIMG 196B — Research Apprenticeship II

This course follows 196A with the objective to expand the scope, increase the depth and implement independence in research. Undergraduates should perform this course in the same laboratory where they had performed 196A to facilitate learning and implementation of the goals stated previously. The course must be taken in conjunction with a seminar (MIMG 180B). The technical aspects of the course will vary depending upon the specific laboratory, however, all students will use the scientific method (learned in course 196A) and continue the same experimental scope proposed, but with additional degree of independence in technical and intellectual aspects of the research. Students will present their research in laboratory meetings and write a final research report.
Enforced co-requisite: course 180B.

Plan 2 Application

Submit the following forms via the Path 2 Application /or via email (undergrad@microbio.ucla.edu) by noon, 12:00 pm on Friday of Week 5 of the preceding quarter in which you plan to begin Path 2.

Research Project Proposal (see Guidelines and Proposal Sample - PDF), approved by the faculty mentor.
Undergraduate Researcher Acknowledgement Form, signed and completed.
Faculty Mentoring Agreement, signed and completed.

Path 2 application materials are sent to students via email through the MIMG Listserv. To subscribe to the Undergraduate MIMG listserv, please email MIMG Advisors at undergrad@microbio.ucla.edu with your UID and preferred email address.

Review Process and Outcomes

These application materials will be reviewed by the departmental curriculum committee. Students and faculty advisors will be notified of approval status within 2–3 weeks of submitting an application. It is advised that students have a back-up plan for the subsequent quarter (i.e., enroll in classes assuming they will NOT be approved for Path 2).

If the application is approved, then the MIMG Undergraduate Advisor will enroll the student in 196A and one section of 180A.
If the application is not approved:
- Senior MIMG students must fulfill major requirements via Path 1 while ensuring for a timely graduation (i.e. enrolling in MIMG 109AL for first-pass for Winter quarter prior to Spring graduation).
- Juniors MIMG students may re-apply to Path 2. Students can re-apply to Path 2 multiple times (i.e. Fall of fourth/senior year is the last application opportunity if graduating the following Spring).

Application Policies

The Path 2 application is considered a commitment to beginning Path 2 the following quarter. Both Faculty Mentors and students alike must ensure that both are ready to fulfill all Path responsibility and requirements. Students should not apply if they are uncertain and should contact MIMG Advisors for guidance on Path 2 as needed (email undergrad@.microbio.ucla.edu with your UID).
Students must discuss their Path 2 application with their approved faculty mentors, together designing a research project to be described in the proposal submitted with other Path 2 application materials.
Students can re-apply to Path 2 multiple times (i.e. Fall of fourth/senior year is the last application opportunity if graduating the following Spring).
The policies and requirements described here supersede those on the 196 contract itself.

Please reach out to MIMG Advisors at undergrad@microbio.ucla.edu with your UID for any clarifications on Path 2 policies and options.

Apply to Path 2 Here!