Student Study & Research

Undergraduate Research in the Biology Department

Why Do Research?

Why do research? Undergraduate research engages students in a very different way from traditional coursework. Research helps reinforce material learned during coursework, expand upon certain topics and gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge. Research ultimately fosters a deeper understanding of scientific inquiry and a greater appreciation for Biology. Research hones students’ critical thinking skills, sharpens students’ understanding of primary research literature, trains students to perform practical and technical skills within their field, and also helps develop oral and writing communication skills. Research can help students prepare for graduate school decide upon a career path.

How do I choose a research mentor and project?

Please visit our faculty page on the Biology Department website to see the research areas our faculty are currently investigating. Contact the professor you are interested in working with to find out if he/she has any available research positions. Please note that research positions are competitive and most faculty have a selection process that involves specific application requirements and pre-requisites. Students can enroll in a Research Practicum with a faculty mentor to earn credit for research.

Visit the Center for Student Research at UCCS

Can I get credit or can I be paid to do research?

Students can enroll in a Research Practicum with a faculty mentor to earn credit for research. There are also a few competitive research awards each year that can pay students for their work. Visit the Center for Student Research for more information. Honors Thesis Exceptional research students in high academic standing should consider completing an Honors thesis. Students must choose their committee and enroll in the Honors thesis course in the Spring of their junior year.

Honors Thesis

Exceptional research students in high academic standing should consider completing an Honors thesis. Students must choose their committee and enroll in the Honors thesis course in the Spring of their junior year.

SAMPLE APPLICATION FOR RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS FOR UCCS BIOLOGY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS *

reach out to specific faculty members for their process -Supply Faculty Member with the following information:

  1. Unofficial transcripts (most, but not all, research students have a GPA above 3.5)
  2. A statement of purpose Why do you want to do research? Why does this faculty’s research interest you? What are your career goals?
  3. Contact information (email and phone number) for 2 references.

Ideally these references should be professors with whom you have taken a class.

Three Biology Students Receive Undergraduate Research Academy Awards for 2019

  • Jeff Callan will be working with Dr. Bono "Investigating the Functional Significance of a Drosophila Arizonae Gene (G110528) in Fertility."
  • Allie Hall will be working with Dr. Lybecker "Elucidating the Role of Small RNAs in the Lyme Disease Spirochete."
  • Meg Super will be working with Dr. Olesnicky Killian "Investigating the Role of the Gene Caper in Neurodegeneration."