Discovery Park Undergraduate Research Internship Program

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of positions are available through the Discovery Park Undergraduate Intern Program?
All of the internships available are research positions working with faculty members on interdisciplinary projects through Discovery Park. We solicit positions from all academic areas. Students may view detailed project description on the DURI website.

How do I apply for a project that interests me?
The application is available on the DURI website. You must complete an application for each project you apply for, including a statement of interest. You then must print the application and send it, along with a transcript and any additionally requested materials to Chris Ramsey in the DLC, Burton D. Morgan Center Room 120.

You must submit a separate application for each project, with a maximum of three.

How many applications can I submit?
You may submit a separate application for a maximum of three projects.

May I contact the faculty member directly?
No, if there are any questions regarding the position, please contact the Discovery Learning Center staff at 496-3590 or childres@purdue.edu.

What should my statement of interest include?
The statement of interest should include why you are interested in the project and what skills, abilities, experience, or education you have that qualifies you for the position. The statement must be less than 400 words in length.

What are the requirements to apply?
You must be enrolled currently in a degree-seeking undergraduate Purdue program with at least sophomore standing. In addition, individual faculty projects may have requirements such as a minimum GPA, class standing, or required completed coursework. The requirements are listed in the project description section of the website.

What happens after I apply for a research position?
The applications must be received in the Burton D. Morgan Center, Room 120 by 5:00 pm on the day of the deadline. The Discovery Learning Center staff will pre-screen the applications to ensure that applicants meet minimum qualifications and then forward qualified applications to the Professor in charge. If the professor is interested in interviewing a student, he/she will contact the student directly and offer the position if there is a match.

Can I work on more than one project in a semester?
No, students may only participate in one project at a time.

Will I receive credit for my participation?
You are required to enroll in the one-credit, pass/no-pass seminar series course, GS490A. Additional credit may be awarded by the participating faculty members. Credit will be awarded through the professor’s department. You should contact your academic advisor to determine whether or not this course credit will apply to your plan of study.

Will I receive a scholarship for my participation?
The DURI program grants a $500 scholarship per semester to each student in recognition of his/her selection to participate. The scholarships are administered through Financial Aid and the Bursar’s Office.

How many hours a week will I work on a project?
The work hours need to be determined by the intern, the participating faculty member, and whether or not additional credit is being awarded. The number of expected hours is outlined on the project description. Typical research internships are between 9-12 hours. Twelve hours is the maximum amount of time you may work per week.

How long can I stay in the program?
When a learning contract is completed, the student and faculty members commit to one semester. After each semester, participation will be evaluated and continued based on interest, need, and funding.

What are the educational program requirements?
You are required to enroll in the one-credit, pass/no-pass seminar series course, GS490A. The seminar series meets every two weeks and covers topics in interdisciplinary research and Discovery Park. The seminar series is held Thursdays at 4:30pm.

You are also required to keep a journal, complete other various writing assignments, and participate in additional events, such as facility tours and poster sessions throughout their participation. You will receive additional information about these requirements upon acceptance to the program.

Can I stay in this program over the summer?
Current funding is for the academic year. There may be limited funding available to support summer interns. Please check back on the DURI website for more information.

What is a learning contract?
The learning contract is an agreement between the intern and the participating faculty members. This document is available through the website and required of all participating research interns. The document outlines the expectations of the internship and is used to evaluate the success of the internship. You need to meet with your project coordinator to such topics as the following items:

Project goals (both overall and student specific).
Amount of work per week and additional course credits, if applicable (3 hrs = 1 cr).
Reporting requirements (we strongly encourage requiring a lab or research notebook).
Confidentiality, intellectual property ownership, and authorship rights.
Laboratory training, if applicable.
Other requirements (i.e. participation in lab meetings)

How is my progress evaluated?
The Professor in Charge will set clear expectations at the start of the internship through the learning contract. Regular meetings and formal feedback are highly encouraged. The DLC staff will maintain regular communication and you are asked to immediately report any issues to the DLC staff.

What are additional expectations that may be required?
You may be required to attend additional laboratory training, sign confidentiality wavers, and abide by standard research protocol. Faculty and students are strongly encouraged to discuss these research issues and include their expectations in the learning contract.