At UC Santa Cruz, our students don’t just learn about the world, they help shape it. More than half of our approximately 18,000 undergraduates participate in some type of hands-on research, an experience both central to a UC Santa Cruz education and uncommon for a top-tier research university. Whether students are collecting water samples in a San Francisco Bay salt flat or analyzing data in our labs, studios, and libraries, they are immersed in discovery from day one.
I’ve been thinking a lot about undergraduate research lately—ever since learning of a newly redesigned course in our Baskin School of Engineering. It exemplifies the kind of experiential learning that defines UC Santa Cruz. Students in the class, which is a requirement for biomolecular engineering majors, now gain firsthand experience with the entire DNA-sequencing process, from field sampling to data analysis, using cutting-edge devices from Oxford Nanopore Technologies.
Early in the course, students travel to the southern end of San Francisco Bay, where they collect samples from a salt flat. Back on campus, they purify DNA, perform sequencing protocols, and use advanced computing methods to analyze their findings. In a recent course, students identified three known species of salt-loving microorganisms and likely discovered two entirely new ones! That’s real science, with real implications, being done by UC Santa Cruz students in an undergraduate classroom.
By putting professional-grade research tools in the hands of undergraduates, we’re helping them master valuable technical skills while building the confidence, resilience, and problem-solving capabilities that will benefit them long after they leave our campus as proud Banana Slug alumni.
This kind of opportunity for undergraduates is rare nationally, but it is deeply rooted at UC Santa Cruz. Our commitment to undergraduate research spans all five of our academic divisions. In addition to the Baskin School of Engineering example mentioned above, other undergraduate research includes:
- Humanities Division Dean Jasmine Alinder last year launched a transformative research program. The Employing Humanities initiative, made possible by a $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation, seeks to redefine humanities education by providing students with unparalleled experiential learning opportunities, bridging the gap between academic studies and real-world applications.
- This past fall, our Science Division debuted its Degree-Defining Experiences Program. Aided by a generous donation from the Helen and Will Webster Foundation, the program encompasses 17 projects, from experiential field courses to internships. All aim to inspire undergraduate students, empower them with unforgettable opportunities, clarify career aspirations, and unveil new professional and personal pathways.
- Our Arts Division houses several research centers and institutes that offer resources and collaborative opportunities for undergraduates, among them the Center for Creative Ecologies, which focuses on the intersection of art, ecology, and activism; and the Center for Documentary Arts and Research, which supports documentary practices across mediums. Our Institute of the Arts and Sciences facilitates interdisciplinary research and public programs.
- The Social Sciences Division, through an array of undergraduate research opportunities, encourages students to engage directly with pressing societal challenges. The Everett Program empowers students to collaborate with community partners, using information and communication technologies as well as social entrepreneurship to promote sustainable development and social justice. Our Center for Agroecology offers undergraduate internships and research opportunities at our campus farm, as well as training in organic gardening and small-scale farming practices.
From creative projects to scientific breakthroughs, research experiences allow our students to explore their passions, develop their skills, and contribute to a broader understanding of the world. In doing so, they prepare for a range of postgraduate pathways, whether in graduate school, public service, the private sector, or entrepreneurial ventures. The outcomes are remarkable. Students gain technical expertise and learn to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems. They leave UC Santa Cruz not just with knowledge, but with the tools and mindset to lead and innovate.
We believe deeply in the value of an education grounded in discovery. That’s why we invest in research opportunities for all our students — because hands-on learning doesn’t just enrich their time on campus. It empowers them to make an impact long after they graduate.
Cindy
Cynthia Larive, Chancellor