LASER Program

Introducing STEM research to first-year Badgers

The Letters & Science Summer of Excellence in Research (LASER) Program offers undergraduates an exciting introduction to STEM research. Students apply to the LASER program during their first year on campus. If admitted, they enroll in two consecutive courses to gain foundational knowledge in research design and methodology, the first is during the spring semester and a second course takes place during the summer term. During summer students also join a collaborative research team and participate in an 8-week summer research position, mentored by UW-Madison faculty, staff, or graduate students.

Through LASER, students connect with mentors and get an early start in collegiate research. This program is ideal for freshmen who are passionate about discovery and curious about exploring research in an L&S STEM field.

Letters and Science Excellence in Research

Introducing STEM research
to first-year Badgers

The 2025 LASER Program will support about 30 undergraduate students classified in the College of Letters & Science:

  • one 1-credit course in the Spring term
  • one 1-credit course in the Summer term
  • 8-week summer paid research position (includes free campus housing!)

The LASER ’25 application is closed.

Please contact Assistant Dean José J. Madera, Assistant Director for STEM initiatives at the L&S Center for Academic Excellence if you have any questions.

ls-stem@ls.wisc.edu • 608-262-4417

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Eligibility

You may be a good fit for LASER if you:

    • Will have completed at least 24 credits at UW–Madison by the end of the Spring semester.
    • Have an interest in exploring STEM and STEM-related majors—declaring a major is not required.
      • Are in your first year at UW-Madison at the time of your application to LASER.

Applicable majors include:

  • Applied Mathematics, Engineering, and Physics
  • Astronomy—Physics
  • Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
  • Biochemistry
  • Biology / iBio
  • Botany
  • Cartography and Geographic Information Systems
  • Chemistry
  • Communication Sciences and Disorders
  • Computer Sciences
  • Conservation Biology
  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Geography
  • Geology and Geophysics
  • Information Science
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Mathematics
  • Molecular and Cell Biology
  • Neurobiology
  • Physics
  • Statistics
  • Zoology

PLEASE NOTE:
At this time, we are unable to accept applications from students with International F-1 and or J-1 visa.

L&S STEM Scholars in LASER participate in:

1 1-credit course in the Spring semester:Exploring Research in STEM” (INTEGSCI 150)

SPRING 2025 semester, meets on campus weekly on Wednesdays, 5:30 pm to 6:45 pm (1 credit; tuition covered by the student)
Developed by WISCIENCE, the Wisconsin Institute for Science Education and Community Engagement.

  • Learn about different approaches to scientific research
  • Build skills for reading and analyzing scientific literature
  • Deepen understanding of translating the scientific method into experimental design
  • Explore various STEM careers that involve research

NOTE: Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URS) selected for LASER participants will continue in their regular URS seminar in the spring instead of this course.

2   1-credit course in the Summer term: Entering Research Part I” (INTEGSCI 260)

Course Highlights:

  • Explore essential roles, responsibilities, and relationships for a successful research experience
  • Strengthen science communication skills in reading, writing, and presenting
  • Discuss and apply strategies to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM

3   8-week paid summer research position

As part of the L&S LASER Program, students will be matched with an ongoing STEM research project at UW–Madison. The full list of available projects will be provided following admission into the LASER program.

  • Compensation: $16 per hour
  • Hours: Average of 30 hours per week, up to a maximum of 40 hours per week
  • Location: On-campus
  • The eight-week experience concludes with a Capstone event during which LASER scholars present their research
  • The application for LASER 2025 is closed. It will reopen for summer 2026 during the fall 2025 semester.

URS Scholars selected for LASER may have an option to continue their current research project, depending on their research mentor and other factors.

Additional Details

  • Housing: Students participating in LASER may opt to live in a UW–Madison residence hall during the eight-week summer program.
  • Cost: Housing is free of charge, in an assigned hall and room, usually shared with a roommate. The LASER Program handles all arrangements.
  • Spring Course:  Included in the regular Spring schedule. Participants are responsible for the cost of this 1-credit course. In the past, this course has most often been held on Wednesday 5:30-6:45pm
  • Summer Course: Tuition is fully covered for this course by the L&S LASER Program, at no additional cost to the student.

Get questions answered

We encourage you to attend any of the following LASER Info Sessions so you can learn more about LASER 2025

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30        12:00 – 1:00 pm – 58 Bascom Hall
MONDAY NOVEMBER 4              12:00 – 1:00 pm – 58 Bascom Hall
MONDAY NOVEMBER 11            4:30 – 5:30 pm – 58 Bascom Hall
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 15                12:00 – 1:00 pm – MSC Classroom, Red Gym
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18           4:00 – 5:00 pm – BIOCOMMONS, Steenbock Library
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 22                12:00 – 1:00 pm – 58 Bascom Hall

We are also offering two remote Info Sessions at the following dates/times:

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8                  1:00 – 2:00 pm           ZOOM
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 12            4:30 – 5:30 pm           ZOOM

Contact Assistant Dean José J. Madera, Assistant Director for STEM initiatives at the L&S Center for Academic Excellence.

ls-stem@ls.wisc.edu • 608-262-4417