Directed Research

Students will pair with a faculty mentor to carry out a research project in the faculty member’s area of expertise. The faculty member will serve as mentor and expert guide for the student. This course will follow the graduate school model for research in the sciences (with faculty mentor in the role of principle investigator) and thus requires that the student demonstrate the ability to: 1. select and read relevant primary literature and explore and understand new content independently; 2. from that work, develop a research question and experimental design; 3. work safely and independently in the lab, and after appropriate training, carry out the project and conduct data analysis. The course is guided by common syllabus requirements (available upon request) that inform a project-specific work agreement between the faculty mentor and student for a mutually agreed upon lab or field research project. These common requirements include: Students will perform a literature review, develop a scientific question and experimental design and work with their mentor to refine them. Students will also work with the mentor to carry out the experiment, apply for undergraduate research funds, analyze data, and present the work as a talk, poster and/or a paper. Course may be repeated once for credit. Only 4 hours may be used to fulfill the biology major requirements. Course may be repeated once for credit. Only 4 hours may be used to fulfill the biology major requirements. Course may be repeated once for credit. Only 4 hours may be used to fulfill the biology major requirements. 3-4 credit hours; Pre-req: CHEM 1102, at least 2 BIOL 3XXX courses, and permission of faculty mentor, course instructor or program coordinator/assistant department chair. Student must have a minimum Science GPA (BIOL CHEM, PHYS courses) of 3.0.

Grade Basis: L
Credit hours: 3.0
Lecture hours: 3.0

Prerequisites:

Restrictions:

  • 3-4 credit hours
  • Pre-requisite: In addition to CHEM 1102, student must successfully complete at least 2 BIOL 3XXX courses
  • Permission of faculty mentor, course instructor or program coordinator/assistant department chair
  • Student must have a minimum Science GPA (BIOL CHEM, PHYS courses) of 3.0
  • Course may be repeated once for credit. Only 4 hours may be used to fulfill the biology major requirements.