How do I get involved in research?
Be proactive! Do your homework! Visit the department webpage and click on the link for Faculty & Staff. Under the profile section for each faculty member there is a description of their research projects. Once you identify a research project that interests you, reach out to the faculty member to discuss your interests and determine whether it is possible to join their research group. You can learn more about independent research in the Biology department by visiting our independent research web page.
When can I start doing research?
Under certain circumstances, a student can start doing research as early as the second semester of their first year. More realistically, students join a research group in their sophomore year or later. Remember that doing research under the supervision of a particular faculty member may not always be possible. Faculty can only mentor a certain number of students during the semester and it is possible that some factors such as lab space available or time constraints limit their ability to become your research mentor.
What do I need to start doing research in the Biology department?
There are no department-wide requirements to conduct research in the Biology department. However, some faculty members require that prospective research students have completed specific, lab-based courses relevant to the mentor’s area of research. Perhaps, commitment is what you need the most!
Is my academic record critical for conducting research in the biology department?
The short answer: it depends. A great GPA never hurts, but faculty mentors will take students for a wide variety of reasons. Thus, if you’re interested, it’s always worth discussing research with a faculty member, regardless of your GPA. Talk to your academic advisor and the prospective faculty mentor to learn more about this. However, if you plan to pursue an Honor Thesis project, there are certain College criteria you must meet first, one of them a minimum GPA.
Can I get paid for doing research?
Independent research (course designations BIOL 401 through BIOL 404) and Honors Thesis (course designations BIOL 495 and BIOL 496) are exclusively conducted for academic credit. Only one semester of research can count towards graduation (read more about this on our “Degree requirements” page). However, there other opportunities to conduct paid research, such as the EXCEL program.
Does an independent research course count as credit for graduation? Does it count as a 205-and-above elective?
Yes, a BIOL 401-404 course counts as a credit towards graduation and it also counts as a 205-and-above elective. However, no more than one research course (this includes BIOL 401-404 and BIOL 495-496) can be used towards the major (read more about this on our “Degree requirements” page).
How and when do I register for Independent research?
Once a faculty member agrees that you can join their research group, you will need a “Special Approval” override from that faculty member. Then, you can register for a specific BIOL 401-404 course designated by the faculty member and the registrar. You can do this during the normal registration period, during the course schedule adjustment period before the semester starts, or during the add/drop period at the beginning of the semester.
My friend told me independent research is easy and I can take it as an overload. Is that true?
Your friend’s advice is misguided. Independent research (BIOL 401-404) is a course offered by the Biology department, and as such, has requirements similar to those of any other course offered in the department. While it is true that you can take independent research as an overload, you must discuss this first with your research mentor and your academic advisor. Once they approve your plans, you will have to submit a general petition for a course overload to the registrar’s office.
I'd like to conduct honors thesis research. How do I do that?
First of all, the College has specific guidelines and regulations regarding honors thesis, which you must meet in order to graduate with honors. In order to conduct honors thesis in the Biology department, typically, you must have done preliminary independent research with the faculty member supervising your honors thesis research. Once you receive permission from your mentor, you will be able to register following the same procedure described above for independent research. For more information, please visit our Honors Thesis Program web page.
And finally... If I make it into a professor's research group, what is expected of me?
Expectations vary and are set exclusively by your faculty mentor. Typically, students are expected to be in the laboratory or doing field work an average of 10-12 hours per week. Prior to joining a research group, you are required to undergo a safety training workshop. Some faculty may expect you to turn in a final report or give an oral or poster presentation. Your mentor will share a comprehensive set of guidelines with you at the start of the semester.