Undergraduate Research

As Canada’s leading research university, the University of Toronto provides numerous opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in innovative, front-line research. Below is an overview of key programs and options in the fields of astronomy and astrophysics.

• Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) – This is our flagship program for undergraduate research, running from May 1 to late August. Visit the linked page for details on application deadlines, available projects, and funding support. Astronomy-focused students may also explore parallel initiatives through the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA)’s SURF program and the Department of Physics SURF program.
• Mitacs Globalink Research Awards International undergraduate students seeking to collaborate with Toronto-based researchers can apply for competitive funding through the Mitacs foundation .
• Summer Undergraduate Data Science (SUDS) Opportunities Program Students interested in data science careers can pursue hands-on projects via this program .

In addition to paid research positions, U of T undergraduates can enrol in the following for-credit research courses:

• AST299Y1 and AST399Y1 These are part of the Research Opportunities Program (ROP), offered by the Faculty of Arts & Science. Eligible students are those entering their second or third year. Applications typically open in mid-February—check the website for current project listings.
• AST430H1 and AST431Y1 These independent study courses allow students to pursue self-directed research under faculty supervision. AST430H1 is a half-credit option available in the Fall or Spring term, while AST431Y1 is a full-year course typically offered in the summer. To find a supervisor, you can review faculty research focuses on the Department’s Research Page. Past and current SURP projects from our faculty offer a glimpse into potential topics. Contact prospective supervisors well in advance of the term. These courses provide academic credit rather than financial compensation; evaluation criteria are outlined in the course syllabus, which the supervisor completes and submits to the Undergraduate Administrator and Department Chair for approval. Here is a template syllabus that can be adjusted for these courses.

Finally, many of our Major and Specialist program students complete capstone supervised research projects in their final years through AST424H1 or AST425Y1.