Students in the Biology Program are encouraged to seek out and participate in internships or jobs that have a clear biological science focus. This supplements their academic course work at Iowa State University with "real world" experience that will make a student a more desirable and competitive applicant for post-graduate studies and future careers. Participation in a biology-related internship, whether it is arranged with a government agency, non-profit organization, for-profit business, or other entity, counts as advanced biology credit when a BIOL 4940 is arranged in conjunction with the experience.
In order to arrange a BIOL 4940, students must first identify and secure an internship. The internship must have a biological science focus, and may be paid or unpaid. After securing the internship, the student must then reach out to the experiential learning coordinator, Dr. Norah Warchola warchola@iastate.edu who will serve as the BIOL 4940 instructor.
Requirements
BIOL 4940 courses are taken for 1 to 2 credits, typically in the fall following a summer internship experience. The BIOL 4940 course is repeatable, but only 6 credits may be applied as advanced biology coursework*, and no more than 9 may be applied towards graduation. The number of credits received depends on the activities agreed upon by the BIOL 494 instructor and the student.
* A maximum of 7 credits total from BIOL 4800, BIOL 4810, BIOL 4900, BIOL 4910, BIOL 4940, and BIOL 4990 can be applied towards advanced biology course requirements
Activities
1 credit. Students complete a daily journal documenting and reflecting on the activities of the internship experience. They also develop an electronic poster related to the experience. The poster theme is determined by the student and the instructor; the theme should be either a biological topic related to the internship, or a descriptive overview of the internship duties and experiences.
2 credits. In addition to completing the journal and poster, students taking a BIOL 4940 for 2 credits write a research paper (approximately 10 pages, with references) on a topic related to the internship. The paper topic and format must be approved by the instructor.
Registration and Deadlines
A contract for the BIOL 4940 internship must be completed and turned in to Dr. Warchola (Bessey 135) before the start of the internship. As part of this contract, the student and Dr. Warchola will decide whether the course will be graded or taken satisfactory/fail. The format and topics of the poster and journal, as well as deadlines for submission, are set by the BIOL 4940 instructor in consultation with the student. Students typically register for the BIOL 4940 the semester immediately following the internship experience (i.e., for a summer internship experience, students register for BIOL 4940 in the fall).
Biology Internship Checklist
- Identify and secure a suitable internship opportunity (often months before it starts)
- Identify a Biology faculty member to serve as the BIOL 4940 instructor (generally Dr. Warchola)
- Sign a contract with the instructor specifying the number of credits, due dates, and so forth; turn this in to Dr. Warchola
- Participate in the internship experience, keeping a journal about it in the process
- Register for BIOL 4940 during the semester immediately following the internship
- Satisfactorily complete the post-internship activities specified in the contract