Do i need experience to join researches?

[AestheticGod]

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Going to be straight forward with this. I have no idea what I'm going to do if I join a research. I don't want to go into a research and have the professor tell me to do something like "put X in Y, then calculate why X mixed with Y gives you Z. You should know how to do this from your past courses, like chemistry." And then proceed to stare at him as if I have NO idea what he's talking about.

I'm starting my sciences VERY late (just starting chem 2 and bio1 this fall🙁 ). Will this hurt me a lot? 😕
I currently love my chemistry professor, and saw that he was looking for students on his research team. I was thinking about asking to join, but I don't want to make myself look stupid, since I AM planning on asking him for a LOR in the future.

 

[EnergyDrink]

You're going to learn what to do from the graduate students, or you're going to have to figure it out yourself. If you know how to calculate concentrations, you'll have a leg up on most undergraduates/pre-meds 😡

You're in a laboratory
You do research

 

[angemon89]

It all depends really, no lab is the same....

No one expects you to really know what's going on when you first join a lab. They understand that it's new to you.

If it's a chem lab I'm thinking it'll be organic based(?) so you might be at a slight disadvantage but generally speaking procedures are redundant type things and anyone can do them. You'll also learn some stuff as you go and have an upper hand on your classmates.

But I'm speculating here. You should probably ask the professor.

 

[DAPI]

Going to be straight forward with this. I have no idea what I'm going to do if I join a research. I don't want to go into a research and have the professor tell me to do something like "put X in Y, then calculate why X mixed with Y gives you Z. You should know how to do this from your past courses, like chemistry." And then proceed to stare at him as if I have NO idea what he's talking about.

I'm starting my sciences VERY late (just starting chem 2 and bio1 this fall🙁 ). Will this hurt me a lot? 😕
I currently love my chemistry professor, and saw that he was looking for students on his research team. I was thinking about asking to join, but I don't want to make myself look stupid, since I AM planning on asking him for a LOR in the future.

This is the best type of person (vs someone who doesn't know you) to do research with if you can get in their lab.

1) They already know and know where you are in your training.
2) This LOR will be even stronger as they will know your class work and you lab work.

I say go for it.

 

[DavetheMD]

Do you plan to do research in the future? If you aren't interested in research, I don't know why you would make an effort to get into it.

 

[littlealex]

No one knows what they are doing when they start. Experienced lab members will have to train you. In fact, even the new PHD students undergo a sustained period of learning how to do experiments in the particular lab. There are basic skills but you'll catch up quick.

The key is to find a supportive professor who is willing to teach you, then work as hard as you can.

 

[Luvahgilahsa]

Going to be straight forward with this. I have no idea what I'm going to do if I join a research. I don't want to go into a research and have the professor tell me to do something like "put X in Y, then calculate why X mixed with Y gives you Z. You should know how to do this from your past courses, like chemistry." And then proceed to stare at him as if I have NO idea what he's talking about.

I'm starting my sciences VERY late (just starting chem 2 and bio1 this fall🙁 ). Will this hurt me a lot? 😕
I currently love my chemistry professor, and saw that he was looking for students on his research team. I was thinking about asking to join, but I don't want to make myself look stupid, since I AM planning on asking him for a LOR in the future.

Just be earnest and learn if you don't understand. If you work with him in his lab and ask for LOR, the LOR will be much more personal and 10293123 times better than if you just took his class.

 

[bigDee]

Do you plan to do research in the future? If you aren't interested in research, I don't know why you would make an effort to get into it.

Just to get into a good medical school

 

[soundnin]

"put X in Y, then calculate why X mixed with Y gives you Z. You should know how to do this from your past courses, like chemistry."

i think we (students and faculty) all know we don't really learn anything practical in courses.