Undergraduate Research

The Biology Department is home to a thriving and diverse program in undergraduate research. Faculty, postdocs, and graduate students serve as research mentors to undergraduates within the department and in related disciplines throughout the university. This program provides opportunities for advanced undergraduates to conduct cutting edge research in the laboratory and field.

Hands-on research experience provides motivated students with the opportunity to enrich their educations and develop their early careers.  Many students have had the chance to publish their research in top journals (summarized in a list of undergraduate co-authored papers). Students often develop long-term professional relationships with their mentors and go on to rewarding and productive careers in  various academic disciplines. We recommend that you begin your research experience as early as practical after gaining sufficient background through core coursework, to allow time for the completion of a significant research project.

In addition to providing professional rewards, participation in the undergraduate research program also offers academic credit toward completion of requirements for the biology major. In a typical semester, the department has over 130 undergraduate Biology majors doing research for course credit. Other students work in laboratories for pay or on a volunteer basis.

In the left-side navigation menu you will find more details about  the research opportunities in Biology.

The first link will give you a broad picture on the “why and how” questions related to undergraduate research, as well as provide description of undergraduate research projects in specific labs. It is worthwhile noting that this link was written and is maintained by an undergraduate student.

The other links provide more details vis-a-vis research labs, research credit, funding opportunities, and relevant forms.

Note that BIOL 395/495 is offered all semesters – Fall, Spring, Summer School I and Summer School II.

Applications for research are due the first day of classes – final research papers are due the last day of classes – all semesters.