Undergraduate Research

Every summer, the Department engages a large number of undergraduate students, mostly from across Canada and some from abroad, to carry out exciting research projects. Please read through the following list of research fellowships, and contact faculty members of your interests.

Here is a list of student awards:

NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards

The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics invites applications from undergraduate students for summer employment as research assistants.. The 16-week positions are tenable on one of the three campuses of the University of Toronto. The program provides an excellent opportunity for undergraduates to gain research experience in astronomy and also to interact with professors and graduate students. Applicants are encouraged to identify professors of specific interest to them.

To be eligible, an applicant must:

• be registered (at the time of application) as a full-time student in a bachelor’s degree program in the natural sciences or engineering;
• have obtained a cumulative B average over the previous years of study;
• have completed at least the first year of a bachelor’s program by the time employment begins.
• for the NSERC awards: be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada;

To apply:

Please submit an application to the Department’s and the Dunlap’s Institute Summer Undergraduate Research program, indicating you’d like to be considered for the USRA. This allows you apply to both of these astronomy institutes at the University of Toronto (with preferences).

University of Toronto Excellence Awards (UTEA) In the Natural Sciences and Engineering

The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics is pleased to announce that the University of Toronto Undergraduate Excellence Awards in the Natural Sciences & Engineering (UTEA-NSE) is now available. For program information, please go to: http://www.research.utoronto.ca/.

The 16-week positions are valued at $4,500 and run from May 1 to late August. Toronto. The program provides an excellent opportunity for undergraduates to gain research experience in astronomy and also to interact with professors and graduate students. Applicants are encouraged to identify professors of specific interest to them.

To be eligible, an applicant must

• be registered (at the time of application) as a full-time student (N/A for those in the final session of studies) in a degree program in the natural sciences or engineering at UofT;
• have obtained a minimum cumulative B+ average (for students in higher years, the average can be applied to the best two years of study);
• already holds a bachelor’s degree and is working toward a second bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences or engineering.
• This competition is open to Canadian citizens AND foreign students with a valid student visa for the full summer work term.

For a complete list of items to be included in your application package, please go to http://www.research.utoronto.ca/.

Note that those applying for the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) may alsoeligible to apply for the UTEA-NSE, provided they meet the minimum cumulative required average of B+. If you have any questions related to the UTEA-NSE, please contact Ms. Angie Agulto, Research Partnership Officer, Physical/Natural Sciences & Engineering, angie.agulto@utoronto.ca.

Deadlines are generally at the end of January, please submit your application to:

University of Toronto Excellence Award (UTEA-NSE)
Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics,
50 St. George Street, Room 101
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 3H4

For more details, please go to: http://www.research.utoronto.ca/

Summer research opportunities at the Dunlap Institute and at the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics

You may also want to consider applying for research positions at the Dunlap Institute (NSERC, UTEA,and institutional) and at the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (NSERC, UTEA).  For details, see

http://www.dunlap.utoronto.ca/summer/

http://www.cita.utoronto.ca/index.php/Working-CITA/NSERC-Summer-Undergraduate-Awards