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Research Requirements
- Students start research for credit in
their first year. Once a research lab is chosen, students will typically have at least
a full 2-1/2 years plus two summers to work
on their independent research. This extension of time and credit allocated for
research increases the probability of publishing your research.
- The combined degree is research intensive allocating more credit for research
than either the bachelors or masters degree alone. At least 4 credits are allocated for undergraduate research during the first two years, and in the last
three years 10 credits are allocated as graduate research credit (in
addition to the 1 credit for BIO 8910).
Research Experience
1st and 2nd years of program:
- Complete four 1-semester experiences
in different laboratories
- Execute 5 hours lab work in research lab per week; specific
duties may vary, but typically could include:
- Attending lab meetings
- Learning techniques
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Assisting faculty member, graduate students, and more senior undergraduates. How
students are mentored will vary depending upon the particular lab
- Attend at least one graduate thesis proposal and/or thesis defense
- Attend
research prospectus on nights when prospectus students give presentations
- Attend
at least two department seminars
3rd Year:
- 1st semester: Make arrangements with faculty member to do thesis research
and spend a minimum of 10 hrs/week in the lab working on projects. Student takes special section of graduate research prospectus concurrent with thesis proposal workshop.
- 2nd semester: Continue research, and begin to prepare thesis proposal;
plan to work minimum of 10 hrs per week on research
 4th Year: 15 – 20 hrs per week on research minimum
- Complete written and oral thesis proposal by no later than end of 1st
semester
- Continue research (including attending lab meetings)
- Mentor new rotation students in lab as needed
- Attend all department seminars
- Attend all thesis proposal and defense seminars
5th Year: same as 4th year plus
- Present thesis work at a national meeting
- Defend thesis in time for May graduation
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