Student Researchers

Discovery Program first class

Why Discovery?

  • Apply what you learn in your data science classes to solve important problems in the real-world.

  • Develop research skills through collaborative research projects centered around data science.

  • Grow your project management experience with multiple leadership opportunities.

  • Connect with world-renowned research partners and local change-makers like NASA, UCSF, LBNL and more.

  • Take advantage of cloud computing resources and data storage.

  • Contribute to data-driven solutions to create a lasting, positive impact.

  • Push yourself with confidence - we have your back with a network of graduate students and industry experts to support you throughout the semester.

Apply to Discovery!

We are thrilled to announce the opening of the Fall 2020 Data Science Discovery application! The Data Science Discovery program connects undergraduates with hands-on, team-based opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge data research projects with on and off-campus partners. If you want to work on data science projects that will have an impact on the world around you, submit your application by August 24th.

Prerequisites: Data 8

Resources: 

  • Project list: Check out descriptions and expectations for this semester’s projects. 

  • Application template: Click through this sample application so you can prepare your responses.

  • Project matching tool: Make a copy of this Google Sheet to see how your skills match up with what our Project Partners are looking for in an applicant. Check out this instructional video for details.

Application deadline: August 24th, 11:59pm PT

Next Steps: Project Partners will reach out to students to schedule interviews and make offers. Teams will be finalized by September 4th.

Academic Credit: If you accept an offer with a Discovery project you will be automatically registered for URAP research units (one unit is available for every 3 hours of work you do). More details on receiving URAP credit will come after the application deadline.

Questions: ds-discovery@berkeley.edu

 

Student Opportunities

Student Researchers

The majority of students participate in Discovery as Student Researchers. They are matched to projects and work in teams throughout the semester on a research or social impact project under the guidance of a project mentor. Student Researchers earn academic units by participating through URAP (for incentive and accountability) as they complete their project with their team, but they do not enroll in a formal class. They do, however, have the opportunity to participate in several workshops that introduce core concepts of the Discovery program, including data collaboratives and human context and ethics.

Four students gathering around a laptop, laughing, at the Spring 2018 semester Data Scholars project showcase.

Team Leads

Students with an interest and inclination towards leadership can apply to become a Team Lead. Team Leads are elected by their teammates and are required to enroll in the Discovery Project Management Course. The course introduces essential project management strategies and serves as a weekly forum where Team Leads can talk through specific issues their projects are facing with the guidance of the course instructor.

a student presenting their research project to another student at the spring 2018 data scholars project showcase

Data Collaborative Fellows

If students have demonstrated excellent leadership potential as Team Leads for one or more semesters, they can apply to be considered for the Data Collaborative Fellow (DCF) role. DCFs are paid interns that provide project management support to a portfolio of projects, connect projects to technical resources, and foster collaboration among Discovery projects. They have a wide mandate to guide projects in new directions or even create new projects based on promising relationships with project partners. DCFs are expected to seed complex projects that will grow into long-term data collaboratives.

Topics

Discovery Program topic page