Undergraduate Research
Students have extensive opportunities to engage in applied research. While working alongside faculty, you'll tackle real-world challenges such as studying soil health in local vineyards, applying classroom concepts to improve crop sustainability.
Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Each summer the college sponsors dozens of students from the college’s 10 departments to participate in the 10-week research program. Students select a research topic within a desired field of study, collaborate with faculty research leads and create a poster to showcase their findings during a college-wide symposium that is often attended by industry representatives.
This experience can be incredibly impactful on a student’s career trajectory and success, helping them land that first job or admission to graduate school. The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) is just one of the research opportunities available to all students.
Cal Poly empowers students by offering them research opportunities as early as freshman year. I get to work for graduate students and interface with people who are experts in the field. Working in research led me to getting a job at Driscoll’s working on their strawberry breeding program.” - Aidan Inoue, third-year plant sciences major
Senior Project
All undergraduate students complete a senior project before graduation. This capstone experience allows students to apply the knowledge and skills they’ve developed at Cal Poly. Requirements vary by major and projects like designing a sustainable irrigation system or marketing a new food product.