Rutgers logo
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
Rutgers logo
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
Rutgers logo
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
Rutgers logo
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences

Student Research

Providing Exceptional Resources to the Researchers of Tomorrow

Research is answering questions that intrigue you.

At the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS), researchers ask questions like:

Three people looking into a pool of aquatic life.

Research is done many different ways.

Research can be done in a laboratory where you could be developing the tools to further research in human health. Research can be performed in the field, trying to understand why populations of endangered red knot birds are declining. Research can also be done by interviewing or surveying the people around you to help understand issues in food insecurity, or could involve designing alternative open space issues for post-industrial sites.

Three people measuring trees in a forest.

Research is a way of life.

It is an internal drive to understand things. Research can be fun, especially when you take charge in determining how you find your answers. At SEBS, you might want to look into volunteering to help with research in such places as varied as the SEBS student farm, the Ecopreserve, or the Haskins Shellfish Lab. Or you could look into participating as a citizen scientist where you can help scientists by participating in projects around the world.

On your own, you can also do things like keep a nature journal, help to identify the biodiversity of the world around us by using iNaturalist, work to eliminate invasive species in NJ, and answer questions about the things you observe everyday. And now, thanks to the New Brunswick Office of the Provost and New Brunswick Libraries your can now virtually share your research with the wider world through the Senior Exhibits site.

A student working in a lab.
Three people looking into a pool of aquatic life.
Three people measuring trees in a forest.
A student working in a lab.

Research Opportunities

At SEBS and NJAES, we value budding ideas from extraordinary minds. Through our various research resources and opportunities for mentorship, student researchers have the opportunity to pursue passionate discovery on topics of their interests.

SEBS General Honors Program

Incoming freshman selected during the college application

The General Honors Program is a community of student scholars engaged in research and seminars that supplement their existing curriculum. Featuring mentored research across all years of their program with faculty across Rutgers, students can also engage with state and federal partners and competitive grants research opportunities such as the National Science Foundation RUE programs. Students are selected during the college application.

SEBS General Honors Program

Aresty Research Center

For all undergraduates, except Summer Science program, which is for rising sophomores only

The Aresty Research Center offers multiple opportunities. The research assistant program enables students to gain their first authentic research experiences by supporting faculty projects during the academic year. The summer science program is a ten-week program. Students receive a stipend an on-campus housing.

Aresty Research Center

George H. Cook Scholars Program

For rising seniors only

The George H. Cook Scholars Program is a senior honors thesis program completed under the direction of a faculty advisor. Students apply to the Program in the second semester of their junior year and complete their projects, including a public defense of the thesis, during the second semester of their senior year. Upon thesis completion and acceptance, the student graduates with honors as a George H. Cook Scholar.

George H. Cook Scholars Program

Department Research Opportunities

For all students

Many department professors have opportunities for research through volunteering or independent study. You should contact the department of interest or speak directly to faculty to learn about opportunities. Alternatively, twice a year (October, March) the Office of Academic Programs hosts research mixers, where you can learn more about each department's research programs.