Junior & Senior Research

Our faculty offers advanced standing students the opportunity to become involved in the on-going research in their labs (and even earn credits at the same time).

Medical, dental, and graduate school admission committees look favorably upon independent study and research as a highly prized scholarly activity that facilitates a life-long habit of self-education valuable to health professionals. There is a continuing need for health care professionals who have the ability to conduct research and to interpret research findings.
	The biological and physical sciences section of MCAT exams consist entirely of science problems that include data presented in graphs, charts, and tables. Research experience provides an invaluable way to master the tools for problem solving and interpretation of data (experience, by the way, that can also be obtained from upper division biology laboratory courses).

So...if you are interested in a research experience:

• Prepare yourself by taking an upper division laboratory course in the area in which you want to conduct research. Faculty would like you to be knowledgeable in their research area.
• Contact the faculty member whom you want to study with. See our faculty's research interests link.
• Sign up for Biology 195, independent study (forms available in LS 109). Although it's a 3-credit course, be prepared to spend more time than you would expect for a 3-credit course. Research knows no hours. Data must be collected when the experiment dicates...not at your convenience.