Possible to do 2 completely different research projects from really opposite fields??

[firebody]

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wondering if this is at all possible or if anyone here has done it. i'm assuming it might be a really time consuming ordeal. basically my situation is that i'm already doing basic science research for a prof. but in my other major, i was speaking to another prof who proposed possibly doing an independent research project that could lead to a topic for a thesis my senior year should i choose to do that route of the major. both have really grasped my interests and i'm wondering whether delving into something like this might be too time consuming.

-sidenote: i just started in a research lab so basically i've yet to be fully consumed into the possibilities of being a latter author should my PI someday have his work published...so if anyone with experience specifically relating to my situation or can ELABORATE on the logistics of how involved one could be in a research lab...meaning how many hours a day i would spend, i would be very grateful for the insight or advice. also, if anyone has any thoughts regarding the idea of juggling two projects at the same time?? good or bad...

 

[firebody]

thanks ahead of time...

 

[dr.z]

I spend a lot of time doing basic research. I am finishing my Ph.D. Amount of time required to spend on the lab really depends on you. You can spend as much time as you would like, and you still won't feel like its enough at times. If you can balance between 2 projects, its more power to you.

I am going to be starting another clinical research project on the side outside of my lab with a friend that I used to work with. This should end up in publication, and I'm glad I'm doing it. Although I do get worried as to if I can manage both projects at the same time. I spend anwhere from 12 to 16 hours a day in lab, and I am there 7 days a week with little less time on weekends.

 

[MeowMix]

It is better to do one thing really well, than to do a mediocre job on two. Doing two projects as a graduate student is a whole different ballgame than as an undergrad. As an undergrad, you should focus on developing your basic research skills and thought processes by delving deeply into a problem, not shooting for a range of problems and multiple publications at the same time.

 

[Shaz]

It is better to do one thing really well, than to do a mediocre job on two. Doing two projects as a graduate student is a whole different ballgame than as an undergrad. As an undergrad, you should focus on developing your basic research skills and thought processes by delving deeply into a problem, not shooting for a range of problems and multiple publications at the same time.

I can see only one plus side to doing two completely opposite projects in a mediocre manner: it shows that, at least, you're multitalented. Not everybody can be a true renaissance man like da vinci, performing groundbreaking "research" in everything from art to mechanical engineering...i guess the reason why there are so man specializations today in the world is because there is just so much to know now than 600 years ago

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

You know your own capabilities better than any one else here. Will it be too much of a time commitment? Only you can know. From my own experience, it is possible to do a research project along side another project that is highly time consuming (not research in my case, but a student org). It all depends on how much of yourself you want to give.

 

[UCLAstudent]

I've done two completely different research projects, but not concurrently. Over the summer, I do clinical research, but during the school year, I do bench work. I really enjoy both, but could not picture myself doing them concurrently!