Research Opportunities

Hands-on research experience is one of the most effective ways to learn about science. You can learn the culture of research laboratories, how to think logically to develop a hypothesis or exploratory question, and how to use published research to help you design a novel experiment. Research is also useful preparation for graduate and professional programs or technical jobs.

Opportunities range from academic coursework with research components to summers or semesters (or four years!) working alongside a professor and peers in a research laboratory.

How to Get Started in Research

Arranging a research opportunity begins with identifying your own interests and investigating the types of work underway in our faculty laboratories.

Investigation and Preparation

• Review Websites: Explore faculty research pages and read abstracts of their recent publications.

• Peer Advice: Talk to current students in Biology labs to understand the "culture" and fit.

• Time Commitment: Typically, each credit of research requires 6 hours per week. This includes lab work, reading literature, and team meetings.

Contacting a Professor

Once you have done your homework, contact a professor to express your interest.

• Method: Email is the best way to contact a professor. Calling or texting is not recommended.

• Timing: Plan ahead. Initiating contact in the spring for a fall opportunity is ideal.

• Persistence: Most labs operate at capacity. If a lab is full, ask about future openings or if you can attend group meetings in the meantime.

 Independent Study and Research for Credit

Once you reach an agreement with a professor, provide them with your full name and 930 number via email. They will enter an override in Banner so you can register before the add/drop deadline.

Freshman Research (BIOL 201)

• Credits: 1 credit

• Description: Introduced early to research with a faculty mentor; often discussed in introductory Biology classes.

Introduction to Biological Research (BIOL 303)

• Credits: 1 credit (Pass/Fail)

• Description: A gateway to lab or field research under faculty supervision. May be repeated once.

Research in Biology (BIOL 403)

• Credits: Variable credit

• Description: Independent laboratory or field research. A written report is required. Up to 6 credits total (3 count toward the major).

Summer Research Opportunities

Summer Research on Campus

Summer is a high-activity period for the Biology Department. Each year, we support approximately 50 undergraduate majors through a combination of internal departmental grants and external research funding.

• Funding Availability: A variety of competitive stipends are available to support full-time research efforts.  More information on summer research funding. 

• Eligibility: Open to all Biology majors; however, we encourage students to initiate contact with faculty mentors during the prior spring semester.

• Benefits: In addition to stipends, students performing full-time research for ten weeks are often provided with free campus housing courtesy of Arts & Sciences.

Summer Research Off-Campus

Many students participate in external programs such as NIH summer internships or NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs. Additional info is available through the Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement .

Senior Honors (BIOL 495/496)

In the senior year, students can undertake an  Honors project. This is a year-long commitment working with a faculty mentor to produce a written thesis and defend it publicly before a faculty committee.