Research
Students who participate in an undergraduate research experience are more likely to ultimately choose science as a profession. Biology students have ample opportunities to conduct mentored, self-directed research with a faculty member. Biology faculty study topics as varied as how bacteria survive in host cells, floristics of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico, the development of lymphatic hearts in amphibians and the nutritional physiology of mosquitos, to name a few. Faculty members often receive grants to support their research and engage undergraduate researchers to assist with their projects. The School of Arts & Sciences is an additional source of research funding.
Students also have opportunities to communicate their results through publications and formal presentations at the School of Arts & Sciences' annual Student Symposium as well as at national and international conferences.
Summer Research
The department's endowment provides several $4,500 stipends for students who do research on campus for a 10-week period during the summer. In addition, the School of Arts & Sciences awards many summer research fellowships, both through its own funding sources as well as national partners like the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Plus, several biology faculty members have outside funding that provides stipends for summer research. A number of travel grants are also available for students who are ready to present their research at regional or national meetings and conferences.
