Undergraduate Research

The Student-Faculty Programs office is currently closed for in-person meetings and visits.  Please contact us via sfp@caltech.edu if you have any questions or would like to speak with a team member.

Welcome to the world of undergraduate research at Caltech! Research has always been a big part of the undergraduate experience at Caltech. In fact, today it is one of the main reasons why students choose to come to Caltech. The low student-faculty ratio (3:1) provides undergraduates with many opportunities to be involved in cutting-edge scientific research. Considering the Caltech professorial faculty and the postdoctoral population, there is at least one Ph.D.-level researcher for every undergraduate!

Our mission is to provide excellent undergraduate research opportunities that help prepare future generations of scientific leaders and support the academic, professional, and personal success of our students. We are committed to:

• Inclusive excellence by ensuring access for students of diverse backgrounds and interests and by supporting the retention and persistence of students traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields.
• Promoting a culture of research and building a community of student scholars by involving students in Caltech's research enterprise.
• Encouraging strong mentor-student relationships by providing training and support to undergraduate research mentors (including faculty, senior researchers, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students).
• Exposing students to enrichment programs and activities that foster engagement with the broader Institute community and provide opportunities to develop as leaders.

We invite you to check out our programs!