Variable-Credit Research Courses in Biology

Try out a lab: BIOL 210

three women at a lab bench with computer and a hamster in a clear box

Students looking for a first experience in a lab often join by taking BIOL 210.  210 is often used as a chance to get familiar with the techniques of a lab without the pressure of a full 3-credit project.  Students may have their own small project or collect data in support of other lab members, depending upon the research group.  Most faculty prefer to start students in a single credit of 210, translating to a commitment of roughly 3 hours a week.  Motivated first-year students may be accepted into a lab in their first spring term.  BIOL 210 can be a great way to get introductory experience in several different research labs.  

How do you get into a lab?  Just talk to the faculty member whose lab you are interested in!  It can be as easy as an email or stopping by their office.  Each term we also have an informal research Meet & Greet one Thursday as part of our seminar series.  

Learn more about the areas of research and the date of this term's Meet & Greet

Delve deeper: BIOL 400

student pipettes solution into a gel

Completed your 302 and still want more research?  Once a student has completed the 302, they are no longer eligible to take credits of BIOL 210.  However, they can advance to elective credits of BIOL 400.  Alternatively, if they qualify, they can apply to conduct a year-long Honors Research.  Typically students choose to use BIOL 400 to further pursue research they began in their 302.  However, it can also be used as a means to keep gaining experiences in different research labs.  Like the 210, BIOL 400 can be taken for 1 to 3 credits, as agreed with the faculty member.  

Research in Biochemistry

student pipetting into a small tube

Biology faculty also support elective research courses in the Biochemistry Program.