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Undergraduate Research

BIOL 495 - Undergraduate Research 101

Undergraduate Research 101 (BIOL 495)

Undergraduate Research 101 Info. Flier

Course Scheduled: Spring 2016 (second-half semester)

Credits: 0.5 credit

Grading: S/F only

Instructor(s): Kevin Quinteros (kevinq@iastate.edu) and Erin McCall (elmccall@iastate.edu)

In this BIOL 495 section, students will learn about doing research as an undergraduate student.  Interested in learning how to get started in a research lab or in the field?  Not sure what kind of research you might like?  Ask any and all questions in this second-half semester course.

A new 1 credit course is available at Iowa State for students interested in research.  U ST 275X (Integrative Undergraduate Pre-Research Methods, Applications, and Communication Strategies) will teach students how to prepare for careers in research, identify mentors and research-related job opportunities on campus, and provide insight into national science scholarships and summer research fellowships nationwide.  

Opportunities

Opportunities in Biology

A person’s college years can be one of the most exciting chapters in a life story, and a major reason for that is the sheer quantity of opportunities available to take advantage of.  The Biology Program encourages students to actively engage with campus activities beyond the classroom to learn new skills, make connections, and have fun!    

Learning Communities

For more than twenty years, the Biology Program has offered a learning community to engage incoming first-year students with our major and assist with college adjustment. Learn more about our Biology Education Success Team (BEST).

Students can be part of more than one learning community, and these communities may also be of interest to Biology majors:

Student Organizations

Iowa State University is home to hundreds of student organizations which provide opportunities for social engagement, professional development, and leadership experiences.  Students in the Biology Program can participate in our Biological Sciences Club to network with other Biology majors.  Other clubs of interest to many of our students include various pre-professional clubs (e.g., Pre-Medical Professions Club, Pre-Pharmacy Club, Pre-Veterinary Club), additional biology-related academic clubs (e.g., Genetics Club, Iowa State Environmental Science Club, Psychology Club), and various recreation clubs (e.g., Fishing Club, Martial Arts Club).

Field Trip Courses and Study Abroad

Field trip courses offered by the Biology Program provide a unique opportunity for students to learn about biology through hands-on experience.  These experiences may be within North America (BIOL 393) or international (BIOL 394), and count directly towards biology degree requirements as advanced coursework. We currently offer a couple trips in marine biology, an exploration of the Boundary Waters of Minnesota, and trips to Valencia, Spain. More information on our field trip courses and study abroad.

Internships

Biology students are encouraged to seek out and participate in internships that relate to their aspirations as budding biological scientists.  The Biology Program offers advanced biology credit for students who have such an experience and arrange a BIOL 494 course with a faculty or staff member.  More information about the BIOL 494 can be found here.  

Finding an internship can be a challenge, but there are several resources available to help.  Students can always talk with their advisor about opportunities they are aware of.  The following resources for internship hunting are suggested as well:

Iowa State University Resources
Career Fairs
Career Services - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Career Services - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
CyHire

Research

As a major research university, there are plenty of opportunities for students to engage in research during their undergraduate studies. Learn more about research opportunities in biology at Iowa State

Teaching

Being a skilled communicator is among the most employable qualities, and teaching experiences help cultivate such skills.  More information about teaching opportunities.

Scholarships

Many scholarships are available to assist students in paying for college. Scholarships are available for new incoming freshman and transfer students, as well as currently enrolled or continuing students.  Learn more about scholarship opportunities.

University Honors Program

Biology students with outstanding academic records may want to consider applying for the Honors Program if they are not already participants.  Honors students get to register for classes earlier, enroll in honors sections of courses, have a higher credit limit each semester, and have access to additional opportunities within the program.  Check out the Honors Program website for more information.  

Undergraduate Research Experience (BIOL 299/499)

Iowa State University is a major research institution, and students in the Biology Program are encouraged to take advantage of this as part of their program of study.  Participation in biology-related undergraduate research at ISU can earn you biology credit. BIOL 299 is appropriate for introductory, closely supervised research experiences, while BIOL 499 is used for more independent research. BIOL 499 qualifies as advanced biology credit.  

In order to arrange a BIOL 299/499, students must first identify a research opportunity on campus that interests them.  Students will learn how to seek out these opportunities during  biology orientation, but they are also welcome to discuss this with their academic advisor or staff in the Biology Student Services Office (103 Bessey Hall).  The research program must have a biological science component, and most commonly, students will identify research opportunities with faculty in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEOB) or the Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology (GDCB).  Once a research opportunity has been identified and secured, students may request that the faculty member arrange a BIOL 299/499 and serve as their instructor for the course.   

Requirements

The minimum time commitment is 30 to 45 hours (e.g., 2 to 3 hours per week for the 15 weeks of a semester) per credit.  BIOL 299 may be taken for 1 to 2 credits.  While BIO 499 may be taken for 1-3 credits.  We recommend that students arrange 1 or 2 credits of BIOL 499 in a given semester to balance other time commitments.  The BIOL 499 course is repeatable, but only 6 credits may be applied as advanced biology coursework*, and no more than 9 may be applied towards graduation.

* A maximum of 7 credits total from BIOL 480, BIOL 481, BIOL 490, BIOL 491, BIOL 494, and BIOL 499 can be applied towards advanced biology course requirements

Activities

Students work on a laboratory or field research project under the supervision of the BIOL 299/499 instructor or an appropriate person designated by the BIOL 299/499 instructor.  The work carried out by the student should include a substantial component of actual research and should not be limited to chores such as washing glassware or cleaning field equipment.  Research must also pertain to the biological sciences.  

Students should provide a final report of activities in a written document, an oral presentation, or a poster presentation, as determined by the BIOL 299/499 instructor.  It is strongly recommended that the BIOL 299/499 instructor review at least one draft version of the report as the student develops the final report. 

Registration and Deadlines

Students should aim to register for the BIOL 299/499 at or before the beginning of the semester they are doing the research, though other options may be possible.  The student and instructor must agree on and complete a BIOL 299/499 contract before registering for the course.  As part of this contract, the student and instructor will decide whether the course will be graded or taken satisfactory/fail.  The format of the reports, as well as deadlines for submissions of drafts and the final report, are set by the BIOL 299/499 instructor in consultation with the student.  Completed contracts should be returned to Dr. Warchola warchola@iastate.edu

BIOL 299 Contract Form.pdf

BIOL 499 Contract Form.pdf

A new, second-half semester course is being offered for this Spring of 2016 for students interested in doing research in the biological sciences.

Biology 495 - Undergraduate Research 101