Undergraduate Research in Computer Science

Overview

This page offers guidance for students wishing to participate in undergraduate research within CS and beyond. Participating in research during your undergraduate career can enhance your overall education and career outlook in many ways:

  • Apply knowledge and methods you've learned in class to current CS research problems
  • Acquire marketable skills for future research or employment opportunities
  • Build valuable relationships with faculty and other research professionals beyond a classroom setting
  • Discern whether graduate school (M.S. or Ph.D.) is your next best step

A student must decide whether they'd like to receive course credit or monetary funding for their efforts. 

 

Receiving Course Credit for CS Research

CS undergraduates can gain research experience while receiving course credit by signing up for Independent Study hours, Senior Thesis hours, or the Directed Reading Program:

  • CSCI 3300 (1 credit) - Faculty Speaker Series: "Beyond the Bytes"
    • This seminar is designed for undergraduate students. It is intended to foster meaningful interactions with faculty and introduce you to the rich and fascinating world of computer science beyond the classroom. Talks will be given by leading researchers and educators from the computer science faculty. 
    • May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours.
    • Covers topics of interest in computer science at the sophomore and above levels.
    • Content varies from semester to semester.
  • CSCI 4830 (1 credit) - CS Undergraduate Directed Reading Program (DRP)
    • Linking our undergraduate to our graduate students with reading of scientific papers in computer science.
    • Must give a 15-minute project-specific presentation at the end of term
    • Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours toward degree.
  • CSCI 4900 (1-3 credits) - Independent Study
    • Students work independently on a research topic under the guidance of a faculty member
    • Repeatable for up to 6 total credit hours
    • Student-driven, customized, and mentorship-based, emphasizing depth and intellectual independence
  • CSCI 4830 (1 credit) - On-Ramp to Research
    • Would you like to get involved in undergraduate research? If so, this class is for you! Over the course of the semester, we will explore the different ways to get plugged into research projects, which range from independent studies to paid summer research internships and senior thesis. Topics that to be covered include choosing a problem, finding a faculty advisor, obtaining funding for your work, presenting your results, etc.
    • Covers topics of interest in computer science at the senior undergraduate level. 
    • Content varies from semester to semester.
    • Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours toward degree.
  • CSCI 4950 (8 credits) - CS Senior Thesis
    • May be research, expository, critical or creative work but must be original in subject matter, organization or view.
    • Must also enroll in CSCI 3100 Software & Society (1 credit) during the Fall semester
    • Restricted to students typically 3rd year or higher
    • Must present a poster or give talk at CS Undergraduate Research Symposium in April

Receiving Monetary Compensation for CS Research

A second option for CS undergraduates gaining research experience is to get paid for their research time in lieu of receiving course credit. The availability of paid opportunities varies semester to semester and also varies with your level of experience. While some paid opportunities are available directly through research advisors, there are many funding sources available within federal and University of Colorado programs as well:

DLA

The Discovery Learning Apprenticeship provides undergraduate engineering students in the program earn hourly wages (at least campus minimum wage) while engaging in research with faculty and graduate students. You’ll work alongside graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and faculty as collaborative partners on original research. We find that students bring a fresh perspective to the research team while also learning from their more experienced partners.

UROP

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), sponsored by the University of Colorado, provides funding campus-wide funding for undergraduate research projects and conference presentations.

  • Assistantships, with stipends from $1000-$2000, allow students to assist a mentor on an existing or upcoming project and do not require an original student proposal
  • Individual Grants, with stipends from $1500-$2000, allow students partial or complete ownership of a project and thus require an original student proposal
  • The Professional & Academic Conference Endowment (PACE) offers funding for undergraduates to present, perform or exhibit their work at conferences and exhibitions

UROP applications for both the Summer and Fall/Spring Academic year are due in mid February (check the UROP page for the exact deadlines). Students must identify a research mentor before applying for funding.

SMART

The Summer Multicultural Access to Research Training (SMART) Scholarship at the University of Colorado Boulder offers hands-on research internships for rising juniors and seniors for a 10-week period during the summer. The program aims to improve access to STEM research for racial/ethnic groups which are underrepresented in science, math, and engineering (African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native/ Native Pacific Islander), and for first-generation college students who are economically disadvantaged. Students with disabilities are also welcome to apply.

NSF-REU

The Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, offers research stipends for undergraduates to work on research projects at numerous universities and laboratories across the United States. Most students travel for these projects to places other than their primary institution, which can often help transform and diversify their conceptions of a particular research topic. REU stipends are generous yet competitive, so be sure to get started early if you intend to apply for one.

Other Broad Funding Options​

CS Undergraduate Research Symposium

This Spring 2026 marked our inaugural symposium!  Every Spring semester (one week before the CEAS EXPO), CS undergraduates involved in Independent Studies, Senior Thesis, Directed Reading Program, or similar CS research projects are invited to present a poster or give a talk at to the Research Symposium. It is a place to celebrate undergraduate contributions to scientific discovery (in progress or neatly wrapped).  

Contact Dr. Divya [dot] Vernerey [at] Colorado [dot] edu for more information

CS Senior Thesis Repository

The Department of Computer Science Undergraduate Senior Thesis is one of the Senior Capstone options. It may involve research, expository, critical, or creative work, but must demonstrate originality in subject matter, organization, or perspective. The Senior Thesis provides highly motivated and academically prepared undergraduate students with an opportunity to pursue sustained intellectual engagement through independent research or creative work. Honors theses will be located online within CU Scholar.  This is a great place to search for theses that have been written by students in previous years to get an idea of what a thesis looks like, how it's laid out, and even to research different topics. (Coming soon.)

Finding a research group within CS

Research opportunities are often found by talking to your professors or by contacting local research groups and laboratories.  Researchers frequently promote opportunities to undergraduate CS students via email so be sure to check your inbox! Make sure to peruse the faculty profiles and their associate research sites to get an idea of what opportunities exist for you. Faculty and other research professionals are passionate about potential projects with undergraduates, yet mentoring an undergraduate research project is an appreciable commitment. As such, please consider the following when preparing for a meeting with a potential mentor so that both parties can accurately and efficiently assess the alignment of goals, interests, timing, and relevant skills:

  • Make your first contact far in advance of your desired starting date
  • Indicate a general area of research that you are most interested in
  • List the optimal number of hours per week you'd like to dedicate to research
  • State whether you are interested in working during the school year or over the summer (or both!)
  • Voice whether you will apply for funding or instead will seek to earn independent study or honor's credit
  • Outline your relevant coursework
  • Provide your Curriculum Vitae with class year, GPA, and references on your research potential, if possible.