Senior Research

Option 1: Most students take BIOL 480 Capstone Research Experience.  In this course, students complete a collaborative research-based project.  Digging deep into the primary literature, students develop hypotheses to test, design and execute their project, collect and analyze results, and explain their findings within the context of current knowledge. Students complete a final paper and presentation.  Students with senior standing can enroll.  The course is often only taught one time per year.  Therefore, third-year students should plan accordingly and ask their advisors!

Option 2: Some students work individually with a faculty member and complete a Senior Thesis.  This path is year-long experience.  In the fall, students take BIOL 460 Senior Research.  Working with their faculty mentor, students develop their research project and propose it in a presentation to a faculty committee.  During the spring, students take BIOL 470 Senior Thesis during which time they complete their research and write a thesis. By the end of the semester students defend their work in an oral defense (presentation) where they will answer questions from the public and their committee members. 

Option 3: Students with a GPA of 3.4 or higher in Biology can submit an application to earn Honors in the Major.   This is also a year-long, independent research project working with a faculty mentor.  In the fall, students take BIOL 460 Senior Research. Students will develop and propose their research project to a faculty committee by the end of the semester.  During the spring, students take BIOL 496 Honors Project.  By the end of the semester students defend their work in an oral defense (presentation) where they will answer questions from the public and their committee members.