Research
On-Campus Research Opportunities
Many pre-health students engage in on-campus research, apply for Dallas-area research jobs, or apply for research-based enrichment programs. Consider research if you are fascinated by cutting edge science, can be meticulous and reliable, and want to build pre-health competencies including reliability, teamwork, cultural competency, quantitative reasoning, adaptability, and science literacy.
To join on-campus research, HPAC recommends that you:
- Consider: “What areas of science am I most interested in?”
- Use Coursebook to look up who’s teaching classes in those areas. Click on each class and “Instructor CV” to view the instructor’s background and publications.
- Use the UT Dallas Library and Google Scholar to read the publications.
- Still interested? Visit the professor during office hours to discuss their current work and what you hope to contribute.
- Oh, they’re not looking for help at this time? Ask, “Who else can I contact in this field?”
TEMRAP: Texas Emergency Medicine Research Associates Program
This Research Practicum at UT Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW), through the Department of Emergency Medicine, allows qualified UT Dallas students to participate in clinical research projects conducted within the Emergency Department (ED) at Parkland Hospital and William P. Clements, Jr, University Hospital. Prior to placement in clinical settings, students are fully credentialed to conduct research at the two hospitals and at UT Southwestern. This program allows students to interact with physicians, residents and medical students as well as patients in the ED.
If accepted, students should plan to participate in TEMRAP for at least two semesters to fully complete the program. UTD requires enrollment in a one semester credit hour research practicum course. The course is graded on a credit/no-credit basis, and may be repeated for up to six semesters. Re-application, UTD, and UTSW approval is required each semester. Returning students are eligible for one of the following student leadership roles: Chief Research Associate (RA), Vice Chief RA, Head Trainer, and Trainer.
Please contact TEMRAP@utsouthwestern.edu with any questions you might have about the program.
UNIV 3112 – Research Practicum: TEMRAP
Course Description
Students earn course credit for participation in TEMRAP under faculty guidance. Credit/No Credit only. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (6 semester credit hours maximum). Students must complete at least one three-hour shift per week. Only two students are allowed to be scheduled per pod shift.
Pod shifts consist of:
- Interacting with clinical staff
- Identifying potentially eligible patients to enroll in studies and paging research team
- Recruiting, consenting, and enrolling in the studies for which students received training
- Interacting with patients
Eligibility
Please note: Since credentialing is an extensive and time consuming process, this program is designed for students who are seriously pursuing a career in medicine.
A successful applicant will have:
- Upper division standing with a minimum 3.500 cumulative GPA
- Serious interest in pursuing a career in medicine
- Good time management skills
- Skills to communicate effectively and comfortably face-to-face
Documents required to be submitted with your application:
The following will need to be uploaded into your application. Please scan the documents in PDF form. Make sure student name and document description is noted in the title under which you save the scanned PDF before uploading: (Example: Doe, Jane-Flu Shot documentation)
- CV/Resume
- UTD Unofficial Transcript
- Flu Shot documentation – must be for current season
- Current Immunization record – Records must be clear and legible and include
- 3 dates of HepB
- 2 dates of MMR
- 2 dates of Varicella/Varivax or 1 date and proof of a titer test
- 1 date of Tdap (not to be confused with DTaP). If Tdap is expired i.e. last administration was 10 years prior, student must provide proof of Td booster.
Recommendations
Only one recommendation is required for this program. Enter the name and email address of your recommender in your online application. Once an application is submitted, the recommender will receive a system-generated email containing a link to submit their comments. Note: The recommender will receive their link only after you have submitted your online application. Submit your application early! Give them enough time to submit their recommendation prior to the application deadline.
Required Supplemental Materials
The following will be required upon your acceptance into the program. Be prepared to submit all of the information below by the date specified on your admission letter/email. No exceptions.
- Substance abuse panel 10 drug screen
- Criminal background check (UTSW will process)
- Mantoux TB skin test or IGRA (T-spot or Quantiferon)
Must be current for your semester; they are only good for one year.
Suggestion: Any Test Now
TEMRAP Frequently Asked Questions
What elements are required to be submitted with the application by the application deadline?
- Application
- CV Resume
- Unofficial UTD transcript
- Immunization record (described above)
When does the application become available?
Applications will be accepted during the spring for the following full academic year. Please check website for deadlines.
What major should I choose when applying?
This program is open to all qualifying current UTD students who are focused on a future medical career, regardless of major. (See qualifications and requirements noted on this web page.)
How do I check on the status of my application?
You will be notified by email from the UTSW TEMRAP admissions team three to four weeks after the application deadline.
Who will request my recommendation?
Only one recommendation is required for this program. Enter the name and email address of your recommender in your online application. Once an application is submitted, the recommender will receive a system-generated email containing a link to submit their comments. Applicants will be notified when their recommendation is submitted.
Is there an advantage to submitting the application early?
You must submit before the deadline to allow your recommender time to receive their link and submit their recommendation before the application deadline. The recommender will receive their link only after you have submitted your online application.
How do I know if my recommendation has been received by the TEMRAP office?
You will receive a confirmation email when your recommender submits their online recommendation.
When will I be notified if I am accepted?
You will be notified by email from the UTSW TEMRAP admissions team three to four weeks after the application deadline.
How many participants are accepted?
That varies each semester. The program can accommodate up to 100 students. Returning TEMRAP participants will be given first priority. After that, the remaining spots will be filled with the most qualified students who completed and submitted all application elements in a timely manner.
TEMRAP Program Continuation
Accepted TEMRAP students must maintain:
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.500;
- Meet all deadlines for the application and credentialing requirements;
- Acceptable performance during all TEMRAP shifts.
Contact TEMRAP
If you have further questions, please email TEMRAP@utsouthwestern.edu.
About the TEMRAP Partnering Institutions
