Undergraduate Student Opportunities - University of Houston
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Undergraduate Student Opportunities

Events and opportunities appearing in the NSM Undergraduate Update will be listed on this page. New listings are added regularly.

Events

NSM Student Leadership will be hosting Calculus II and Chemistry II Study Nights ahead of exams. Snacks and exam prep materials will be provided. Student Leaders, tutors, and Scholar Enrichment Program facilitators will be there to assist with any questions you may have.

Dates/Times/Locations:

  • Calc II - Mon, March 18, 5:45–7:30 pm, SR1 117
  • Chem II - Thur, March 21, 5:45–7:30 pm, SR1 116

Questions? Contact NSM Office of First Year Programs, nsmyear1@central.uh.edu.

Houston-area Opportunities for Undergraduate Student Training in Obesity & Nutrition (HOUSTON) Academy 2.0 is a 12-month training program for undergraduates interested in a healthcare profession. Trainees will develop research, communication, and leadership skills needed to address nutrition-related chronic diseases and conditions at various UTHealth institutions.

Program Dates: June 3, 2024 – May 31, 2025

Application Deadline: Mon, March 25

More Information and Application

Come showcase your student organization and/or research and earn a FREE t-shirt! NSM is hosting our Spring Open House event, NSMeet, for newly admitted students interested in joining the College.

Let us know if you/your organization will be joining NSMeet by Wed, April 10.

Sign Up Here

Questions? Contact NSM Office of First Year Programs at nsmyear1@central.uh.edu.

Tutoring

UH’s campus learning center, LAUNCH, offers free in-person tutoring and will hold various 50-minute workshops each week via MS Teams.

LAUNCH Tutoring
Information on LAUNCH’s tutoring services is available on this webpage. Sessions are held Mon-Fri at Cougar Village 1, N109. Questions? Contact launch@central.uh.edu.

LAUNCH Workshops
Upcoming Topics: (See Full Schedule)

  • Sleep Learning: Improve Your Memory, Improve Your Grades, Tue, 3/19, 11 am
  • Why Wait? Overcoming Procrastination, Thu, 3/28, 2 pm
  • No Fear Test Taking: Reducing Test Anxiety, Tue, 4/2, 11 am
  • GRIT: Develop a Growth Mindset to Reach Your Goals, Thu, 4/11, 11 am
  • Time Management Strategies for Finals to Ace Your Exams, Thu, 4/18, 2 pm

To Register for Workshops: Download MS Teams in Office 365 and enter code umt0dfa to attend the workshop (that is a zero in the middle). Workshops Page

Problems Registering or Questions? Email launch@central.uh.edu.

NSM’s Scholar Enrichment Program (SEP) offers free walk-in tutoring to UH students enrolled in the courses listed on the Scholar Enrichment Program Tutor Schedule. Tutoring is available for:

  • Biology II
  • General Biochemistry I
  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Chemistry I, II
  • Organic Chemistry I, II
  • General Physics I, II
  • University Physics I, II
  • College Algebra
  • Precalculus
  • Calculus I, II, III
  • Intro to Programming
  • Data Structures
  • Computer Science & Programming

Undergraduate Research

The Frontiers In Science Program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge scientific research in the field of theoretical biological physics during a 10-week program with the Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, housed at either Rice University in Houston, Northeastern University in Boston, or University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI. Interns will receive a $5,000 stipend for the summer program and are expected to perform at least 300 hours of research.

Travel support will be provided to students leaving their hometown, and no student will be required to travel to a different city unless they are interested in doing so.

Eligibility
Must be currently enrolled, majoring in physics, mathematics, computer science, chemistry, biology, engineering, or other related departments. No prior experience with Biological Physics is required. Postgraduates are not eligible for participation in the program.

Additional Program Information and Application Requirements

Application Deadline: Wed, March 20 - Application Form

Questions: Contact Dr. Greg Morrison, gcmorrison@uh.edu.

Undergraduates involved in STEM research are invited to participate in the Heart of Texas Undergraduate Research Conference (HoT) organized by Baylor University’s Bears in Undergraduate Research in Science and Technology. This free and virtual conference will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 1-4 pm Central. The event allows undergraduates to learn about research and make meaningful connections with fellow researchers.

Undergraduates from any STEM field are invited to give a 12-minute oral presentation about their research. Awards will be given to outstanding presentations in each division.

Abstract Deadline: Sun, March 24, at 11:59 pm

Abstract Registration Form

The Enhancing Research Accessibility in STEM at UH (ERAS-UH) program is designed to support undergraduate research at UH in STEM degree plans (broadly defined). The program will provide financial support ($2,500 for the summer) for undergraduates to engage in research within their field under the supervision of a faculty member in their or a related department.

This program does not have a minimum GPA requirement and is targeted at students that may be less competitive by financial or other constraints. The application requires a research statement or faculty letter of support, as well as a personal statement describing the student's academic pathway and goals (including external factors that may have affected academic success). Participants will also join professional and scientific development meetings as a group once per week (lunch provided).

Program Dates: May–August 2024

Application Deadline: Fri, March 29 Application Information

Questions: Contact Dr. Greg Morrison, gcmorrison@uh.edu.

Interested in cardiovascular research? UH’s Houston Experience for Advancing Research and Training (UH-HEART) program provides summer research experiences and translatable skills that prepare participants for future careers in cardiovascular-related research. The American Heart Association funds the program.

Research fellowships will be awarded to rising juniors, seniors, and recent graduates for a 10-week, full-time research experience. Participants will be engaged in a variety of cardiovascular research and enrichment activities under the guidance of a UH faculty sponsor. Program runs May 28-August 2.

Benefits

  • $6,000 student stipend.
  • Group trip to the AHA Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Sessions in Chicago, July 22-25. Travel and lodging costs covered.
  • Gain didactic knowledge and firsthand experience of transdisciplinary research, collaborations and communication.
  • Cultivate the basic and transferable skills necessary for succeeding in graduate school and a subsequent career in research.

UH-HEART is housed within the UH Drug Discovery Institute, which fosters transdisciplinary collaborations between faculty from UH Colleges of Engineering, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Medicine, NSM, Optometry, Pharmacy, and Technology.

Application Deadline: Sun, March 31

Learn More and See List of Mentors

The UH-CURE (Cardiovascular Undergraduate Research Experience) Program, supported by the National Institutes of Health focuses on a broad range of cardiovascular research at UH. In this 10-week summer research program, participants will immerse themselves in comprehensive research that spans a wide range of fields from fundamental science to population health. This program runs May 28-August 2 and is open to any student who is currently a full-time undergraduate student who has completed at least one year of undergraduate studies.

Benefits

  • $6,000 stipend
  • Additional funds to aid with travel to and from UH for summer research experience
  • On-campus housing for the duration of the program plus food allowance
  • Travel costs covered for travel to the internationally recognized American Heart Association Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions

Application Deadline: Sun, March 31

More Information and Application Process

Careers & Career Fairs

Have you ever considered teaching? The teachHOUSTON Program is an NSM Capstone that prepares mathematics and science majors to teach grades 7–12! While in the program, you will receive quality hands-on mentoring via convenient online instruction that will prepare you to be a successful teacher.

Qualifications for Program:

  • Classified as a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior
  • Received a grade of B or above in Calculus I, and
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.5

Your journey begins with the first course, Introduction to STEM Teaching (CUIN 4397). View the teachHOUSTON Course Sequence for an overview about how math and science majors move through the program.

Scholarship Opportunities and Alternative Certification Pathway

Key Benefits of Joining teachHOUSTON

  • Keep your major in math or science.
  • Add a math/science teaching certificate with no added time.
  • Meet your capstone requirement.
  • Try out teaching with one class (Introduction to STEM Teaching-CUIN 4397).
  • Seeking students from racially, ethnically, socially, and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
  • Scholarships and paid internships are available.
  • Job security and satisfaction.
  • Average starting salary for teachers is $58,000.
  • MAXIMIZE your potential with teachHOUSTON – College of Natural Science and Mathematics Teacher Prep Program!

Questions or to Schedule an Appointment: Email tHadvising@uh.edu

UH’s HPE Data Science Institute is launching a new Micro-Credentialing Program in Data Science. These free classes are open to all students, culminating in a micro-credential that can be placed on networking pages.

To receive the Micro-credential badge, complete the courses listed below in any semester. These courses will neither affect your GPA nor appear in your transcripts. 

Four Courses:

  • Principles of Data Management Badge
  • Scientific Programming with Python Badge
  • Data Visualization using Paraview & Tableau Badge
  • Introduction to Machine Learning Badge

Questions: contact@hpedsi.uh.edu

Kscholastic Tutoring Company is seeking academic tutors for a variety of subjects for K-12 students.

  • Flexible scheduling
  • Houston-area in-person tutoring (must have a personal vehicle)
  • Must be available 3 evenings a week
  • Must be available until the end of the school year (May 31, 2024)

Starting Pay: $30/hour

Learn More: Visit www.kscholastic.com

To Apply: Send your resume and a statement of interest to karla@kscholastic.com.

Internships/Fellowships

PathwaysToScience.org has numerous scholarships and fellowships posted as well as 600+ research internships and opportunities. These include undergraduate level funding opportunities with an emphasis on increasing diversity in STEM. They also have tips and resources for applying:
pathwaystoscience.org/Undergrads.aspx

Considering Graduate School?
If you are considering graduate school, search FULLY FUNDED graduate programs in a variety of disciplines, and view resources on applying: pathwaystoscience.org/Grad.aspx

Need Help?
If you need help finding a program that’s a good fit, please feel free to email Liv Detrick, Senior Advisor, The Institute for Broadening Participation at ldetrick@ibparticipation.org for assistance.

The Asghar Memorial Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship program funds 1–2 full-time UH undergraduate students with little or no laboratory research experience to engage in a research educational experience for 10 weeks (early June to early August) in the laboratory of a UH College of Pharmacy Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty member. The program’s intent is to encourage students to pursue a career as a basic research scientist. No course credit will be offered for participation in this program.

Selected student(s) will be notified of the decision in the first week of May. The program provides a $1,000 scholarship to the selected student(s).

Application Deadline: Mon, April 1

More Details and Application Information

Scholarships

Competitive scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. Provides up to $20K per academic year up to four years in tuition/expenses. Award Year: 2024–2025

Deadline: Fri, March 29

More Information and Application

The UH Foundation has several scholarships that may be applicable to NSM students. To access the scholarships, go to this page, and click on the red “Scholarships” button or go directly to this page. The scholarship system homepage lists each UHF scholarship available with a brief description of the criteria. NOTE: You do not apply for individual scholarships. The system will match you to all scholarships you are eligible for based on the answers provided on the General Application.

To apply for scholarships, you need to create a new account with an email and password. It is important you create ONLY ONE account using an email you currently use. Once you have logged in, you will have access to the General Application.

Get Started

  1. Students with an UHF Scholarship account created last year: You will be required to set up a Blackbaud ID (BBID) using the same email address that was used when the account was set up last year. You do not have to use the same password. If you enter a different email address, it will not link to your existing account. If you are unsure what email was used for your account, email scholarship@uhfdn.org.
  2. If it is your first time applying, simply create an account.
  3. Login to the system using your username (email address) and password.
  4. Complete the General Application. The system syncs with the information you supplied on the General Application. You are automatically matched with scholarship opportunities for which you meet the criteria.
  5. After you complete the General Application and receive a successful application submitted email, you’re done! You will receive any award notifications or regret emails via the email address used to login. You can also check on the status of your application by logging back into the system at any time.

Application Deadline: Fri, April 12

The NSM Alumni Association scholarships are open to undergraduate and graduate students. Scholarship awards are given to students in all NSM departments.

Eligibility: Must be an NSM undergraduate student in good standing at UH, must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25, must have 24 or more semester credit hours remaining in the degree program at the time of the scholarship award. The recipient must enroll in, and complete, a minimum course load of 12 semester credit hours (full-time equivalent) in Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.

Application and More Information: uhaaf.com/scholarships/
(NSMAA Scholarship information near bottom of page)

NOTE: You may qualify for other UH Alumni Association Scholarships listed on that webpage. For example, the Rushion and Cicely McDonald Scholarship on that page is for NSM or Optometry students.

Deadline: Mon, April 15

The Provost’s Undergraduate Research Scholarship (PURS) provides the opportunity to participate in a faculty-mentored research project. The program is open to full-time sophomores, juniors and seniors with at least a 3.0 GPA, who have not previously participated in the PURS program. The program awards participants with a $1,000 scholarship to conduct a one-semester research project with their faculty mentor. Please note that students may not participate in PURS while enrolled in the Senior Honors Thesis course or an independent study.

More Information and Application Guidelines

Application Deadline: Mon, April 22

Questions? Email Debbie Reyes, dreyes20@central.uh.edu.

Other Opportunities

Make your impact on campus by becoming an NSM Student Leader! This is an amazing opportunity for mentorship, programming, and student advocacy. You will also connect with like-minded peers who are committed to success. Stand out with leadership experience on your resume.

APPLY HERE

Eligibility: Must be current undergraduate student in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Must have a cumulative 2.5 GPA. Must be able to attend bi-weekly team meetings during the 2024–2025 academic year.

Application Deadline: Mon, March 25, at 11:59 pm

Questions? Contact NSM Office of First Year Programs at nsmyear1@central.uh.edu.