index | Undergraduate-Research | Undergraduate | Psychology | University of Miami

The psychology department offers research courses—PSY 280, PSY 380, and PSY 480—for students who have declared psychology as their major. Each course has a different set of pre-requisites and enables students to earn credits toward the PSY BA and BS degree. While a student can enroll in as many research credits as they like, only 6 credits of research will apply toward the major. The flexibility to take a 200, 300, or 400-level research class can facilitate completion of the requirements for both the BA and BS major. Neuroscience majors can likewise register for NEU 280, NEU 380, and NEU 480.

To join a research lab and enroll in PSY or NEU 280/380/480, follow these steps:

1) Learn about the ongoing faculty research in the Psychology department and identify faculty members whose interests match yours. Note that a “C” at the top of a profile means the faculty member is a clinician and/or engages in clinical research. A “P” means that the faculty member engages in non-clinical psychological research (e.g., social, cognitive, developmental, evolutionary, or neuroscience research).

2) Determine which faculty are taking Research Assistants for the semester you’d like to enroll. 

3 ) Email the faculty member expressing interest in joining their lab and request to meet to discuss the opportunities available. 

4) FOR PSY 280/380/480, if admitted into the lab, the Faculty member will give you a PIN to register.

FOR NEU 280/380/480,please email Dr. Helen Bramlett (hbramlett@miami.edu) with your name, course number and faculty mentor.  She will provide you with a PIN.

Psychology and Neuroscience majors have the opportunity to complete an Honors Thesis during their time at UM. The Honors Theses courses are a two-semester sequence (PSY 580/581 or NEU 580/581), typically started in the Fall of senior year and completed in the Spring of graduation year. It is possible to begin earlier, and this can be discussed with the Faculty advisor and Associate Chair of Academic Affairs and Research. As a student in the 580/581 sequence, you will be required to meet regularly with the Associate Chair of Academic Affairs and Research, Prof. Yanerys Leon.

Students who wish to complete an Honor’s Thesis have usually been engaged in Research activities in the lab of a Psychology or Neuroscience Faculty member during previous semesters. To register for a Senior Honor's Thesis, please email Dr. Leon at leony@miami.edu.

The following summer research programs are administered through the Department of Psychology.

PRIME Summer Research Scholarship

Psychology Research Initiatives Mentorship Experience (PRIME) began as part of a nationwide effort to increase the diversity of individuals entering the psycho-biomedical sciences.  The PRIME program is a 10-week summer research program designed for students who intend to apply to Ph.D. programs.  Throughout this program, students are required to work 35 hours per week on psychological research under the direction of a psychology faculty member.  PRIME students are also required to attend weekly seminars where they discuss their research projects, research ethics and protocol, post-graduation plans, guidelines for poster presentations, and several other topics. PRIME participants showcase their research projects at an end-of-the-summer poster presentation.  These students are also expected to present their findings at the UM Research, Creativity, and Innovation Forum, which is held during the following spring semester (i.e., students must have at least two more semesters before graduation). 

PRIME for Florida Agricultural & Mechanical (PRIME-FAM)

Psychology Research Initiatives Mentorship Experience for Florida Agricultural & Mechanical (PRIME-FAM) began as a partnership to bring a small cohort of FAM students to Miami to participate in PRIME. Students from FAM are provided with 10 weeks of accommodations, mentorship, and state-of-the-art research training in an effort to bolster their competitiveness when they apply for graduate programs. During PRIME-FAM, students will be matched with UM Psychology Department faculty (https://www.psy.miami.edu/people/faculty/index.html), who will serve as research mentors to PRIME-FAM students as they perform psychological/neuroscience research at UM. In addition, during weekly meetings, students will be taught research methodology, the scientific process, how to find and cite research articles, how to present research (posters and oral presentation), how to apply and get into graduate school, and what to expect in graduate school. Furthermore, PRIME-FAM fellows will meet periodically with an appointed faculty mentor to discuss non-academic issues related to diversity, networking, and institutional social adjustment. At the end of the summer, PRIME-FAM fellows will present their research at the PRIME 3-minute thesis (3MT) session.

Lois Pope Neuroscience Summer Research Scholarship

A generous endowment made to the University of Miami (UM) by our Trustee, Lois Pope, allows undergraduate neuroscience majors to participate in summer neuroscience research projects at UM.  Participants are required to work 40 hours per week for at least 10 weeks on neuroscience research, and they are expected to present their findings at the UM Research, Creativity, and Innovation Forum, which is held during the following spring semester (i.e., students must have at least two more semesters before graduation).  Lois Pope participants may also participate in the PRIME program as PRIME Adjuncts, and they may be invited to attend special activities related to other summer research programs, such as the Dean's Women and Minority Research Program and the Honors Research Program.