Undergraduate Research
| Why Get Involved | How to Get Involved | The Role of Research |
| Questions to Consider | Earning Academic Credit |
| Undergraduate Projects Completed | Application for Research |
Working on research projects as an undergraduate sparks intellectual curiosity, immerse students in academic life, boosts self-confidence, and exposes students to new career options. In addition:
- Outside of the classroom learning.
- Involvement in research may help you decide on a career path or rule out certain careers. It may also help you decide if graduate school is the right choice for you.
- You can develop valuable laboratory and/or field skills in your area of interest.
- You can earn academic credit.
- You can experience the excitement of discovery working in partnership with faculty and graduate students who mentor you.
- You can acquire hands-on experience and general scientific skills that will be valuable in almost any profession you choose.
The best way to find a research opportunity in the Department of Biological Sciences is to contact our research coordinator, Dr. Stephen Richter.
- Before contacting Dr. Richter, please visit our faculty webpage
- Talk to professors with whom you've taken courses, or contact professors whose research interests you. Most professors have an open-door policy; stop by and ask about research opportunities!
- Talk to students currently involved in research
Participating in research can provide you opportunities to:
- contribute to meaningful scholarly pursuits
- sharpen your critical and analytical thinking skills
- work one-on-one with faculty
- give poster (or oral) presentations and, perhaps, publish the results of your work
- complement and extend your classroom learning
Before getting involved in a research project with a faculty member, it is important to consider your goals, interests, time commitments, and preparation. Some questions you might consider include:
- What do I hope to gain through my research experience?
- What are my interests?
- How much time can I realistically commit to working on a research project?
- Are there particular skills I need to aid me in my research project?
- Are there courses I should take before doing a particular research project?
- What outcomes of the research can I expect, (presentation, publication, etc)?
You may earn credit for doing research through BIO 598 - Special Problems. Students seeking a degree in Wildlife Management earn credit for doing research by taking BIO 489 - Field Studies in Wildlife. If you have any questions about these courses, contact your advisor or any other faculty member.
Undergraduate Projects Recently Completed
- Assessment of Kentucky Watersheds for Waterborne Enteric Viruses Through Immunoaffinity Concentration - Christopher Dickerson
- Effect of Brood Size on the Growth Rates of Nestling Yellow-breasted Chats - David Marques
- Woody Plants of Six Northern Kentucky Counties - Ryan Bauer
Application for Research
Word. PDF.
 
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