The Biology faculty have active research laboratories, and welcome student interest and involvement in these projects (see Faculty Research). Faculty encourage biology majors to conduct their own research by participating in the undergraduate research program within the department. Participation in this program may include coursework, summer research, and fellowships.
There are several ways to earn course credit while doing research, including completion of Introduction to Biological Research (Biol 392), Directed Research (Biol 290, 390, and/or 490) and one or two units of Senior Thesis (Biol 491). View biology course descriptions.
The contract for Directed Research or Senior Thesis can be downloaded here.
Students have the opportunity to start their research during the summer by applying for the Summer Research Grants in Science and Mathematics. This $3250 grant is awarded on a competitive basis to students to conduct research with a faculty member. Students are expected to work full-time for 10 weeks on their project, and then present their findings to the campus community in a poster session during the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the start of fall semester.
In addition, the University Enrichment Committee awards up to $500 to full-time students for research during the academic year. These Student Research Awards are evaluated by a faculty-student panel, and awards are made on a competitive basis.
Please go to our Links page for summer research opportunities and graduate fellowships.