How Can I Participate?

Different ways of conducting Undergraduate Research in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry

Senior Honors Thesis

A Senior Honors Thesis (SHT) is the most formal process of conducting undergraduate research. Students conducting SHT must register for either BIOL or BCHS 3399; 4399 in consecutive semesters. The SHT is done under the direction of a faculty member. Students work in the laboratory or field pursuing an independent investigation on some novel topic. Once data collection and analysis are complete, the students write a thesis, defend it at an oral presentation to the thesis committee and other interested individuals, and submit the thesis for binding following NSM thesis guidelines. Students who choose to do a SHT do not need to be members of the Honors College.

• Learn more about SHT process
• Return to Application Form

Senior Project

A Senior Project (SP) is intended to be a substantial library research paper, but may include field or laboratory data. Students work under the direction of a faculty member researching, summarizing, and analyzing the literature regarding a mutually agreed upon topic. The research paper is submitted upon completion of the 4396 course. Students conducting SP must register for either BIOL or BCHS 3396; 4396 in consecutive semesters.

• Learn more about SP process
• Return to Application Form
  

Special Problems Courses

Special Problems Courses (SPC) range from 4198 to 4498 and credit varies with the effort that is expected of the student. A maximum of four hours of credit can be used toward degree requirements in the major for a Biology Degree, however BCHS special problems do not count for credit in the major but do count as free electives. Students taking these courses typically take 4298 or 4398. The student is expected to work in the lab or field conduction scientific research and must submit a report of verifying participation to the faculty member at the end of the semester.

• Learn more about the SPC process
• Return to Application Form
  

Volunteering

Students may participate in undergraduate research on a voluntary basis. Many do this just to get an idea what is involved and whether they are genuinely interested in such work. It is important that this effort is documented, therefore the student must submit a report to the faculty member detailing the work done as a volunteer.

• Learn more about the Volunteer process
• Return to Application Form