Biology Summer Research Program
The summer research schedule typically runs for 9-10 weeks during
the months of June and July. This is a 40+ hr/wk full time job in
the research laboratory. Typically 8-12 students work in the
biology department in several different laboratories. Common lab
meetings and social events are scheduled during the summer program and
stipends are provided. Prior to freshman year, students may also gain
summer research experience through
ENSURE.
Read the Contract
Biology 240:
Research Experience
This course is about a student's introduction to biological
research. Students usually start research experiences at this level for
a partial credit. I will often mentor new students under the
umbrella of an experienced student's project, so they have a student
mentor as well as a faculty research mentor. I enroll Sophomore
and Junior students in this course, typically as a prelude to a summer experience. Grading is S/D/U only.
This course does not count for the Biology major.
Read the Contract
Biology 260: Intermediate Directed Study
After a student's first research experience, students
interested in continuing to perform research and participate in the
laboratory will advance to this course. Students are beginning to become
more involved in experimental design and take ownership over their
projects at this stage. I typically enroll Sophomore and Junior students in this course, following a summer experience
or after a semester of BIOL 240. Grading is S/D/U only.
Read the Contract
Biology 460: Directed Study
Intended for advanced students to develop and execute a project
under close supervision of a faculty member. Project goals and approach,
in the form a written grant-style proposal, must be completed within the
first few weeks. Students enrolling in 460 have previous research
experience and are committed to their research project. Grading is
S/D/U only.
Read the Contract
Biology 472: Research and Design of Experiments
Provides formal training in the approaches used to advance
understanding of biological processes. Course activities are built
around original research projects designed and completed by students.
Lectures, discussions, and readings provide students with the skills
necessary for designing original research, performing experiments,
analyzing data, and reporting results. Students
considering an honors thesis or graduate school in biology should enroll in this course.
Biology 480: Research Discussion
This course number refers primarily to group laboratory meeting
participation. During lab meetings every semester, students
engaged in collaborative research with faculty, will read, critically
evaluate, and discuss the current scientific literature.
Additionally, students will make presentations about their own research
projects and also participate in discussions about professionalism in
the sciences. Students co-enroll in this course each semester they are
enrolled in research.
Biology 490/91: Independent Study
Intended for advanced senior students to develop and execute a
research project with the input and guidance of a faculty mentor.
Project goals and approach, in the form a written grant-style proposal,
must be approved by the department. Students will complete a full
written assessment of their project and will present the results of
their project as part of the Biology Department Seminar series.
This course is usually reserved for honor's thesis candidates and
graduate school-bound seniors.
Read the Contract
Animal Care Technician
The Biology Department employs multiple students each year as Animal
Care Technicians (ACT). Students are responsible for caring for
animals and cleaning the animal housing facilities. If you are interested in veterinary medicine,
please inquire about openings. Students must be reliable,
trustworthy, hard-working, capable of working with little supervision, and comfortable handling birds and rodents.
See the Job
Responsibilities Laboratory Preparation Assistant
The Biology Department employs multiple students each year as
Laboratory Preparation Assistants (LPA). Students will make
solutions, prepare common reagents & media, and support teaching
laboratories as well as research. If you are interested in getting
more experience and developing your skills in the laboratory, please
inquire about openings. Students must be reliable, trustworthy,
hard-working, and willing to work independently.
See the Job
Responsibilities |