BSC 4905C - Undergraduate Research in Biology

College of Natural Sciences

Credit(s): 1-3
Contact Hours: 30-90
Effective Term Fall 2019 (565)

Requisites

Prerequisite BSC 3017 with a minimum grade of C and
Permission of the Program

Course Description

This course is an individualized independent study whereby the student participates in ongoing biological research or designs, conducts, analyzes and presents biological research that is proposed by the student. The professor will provide advanced learning resources and guidance. The student will also meet regularly with the professor who will coordinate the research. The number of credits is variable and will be determined in the following manner: 1 credits requires 30 contact hours of participating in ongoing research mentored by faculty sponsor, 2 credits requires 60 contact hours and requires student to design and conduct research on a project designed by the student and approved by the faculty sponsor, 3 credit requires 90 contact hours and requires the student to conduct, analyze and present research proposed by the student with their faculty advisor and a department approved faculty committee. This course may be repeated three times for up to 6 credits total to be applied to the Biology major. (Note: Students and faculty mentors will be required to complete an application package for the type of credit requested which will be submitted and approved by the department prior to enrollment).

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will engage in an individualized research project on a contractual basis for independent study in collaboration with the professor and/or advisory group by:
    1. reviewing the current literature associated with the biological topic of interest.
    2. discussing the proposed goals and objectives for the research project with the biology professor and/or advisory group.
    3. completing a research proposal for the project.
  2. The student will incorporate all aspects of scientific investigation based on a research proposal by:
    1. designing an experiment to adequately address the research question.
    2. conducting the experiment with proper controls and proficient use of scientific equipment.
    3. maintaining records of all data collection.
    4. analyzing data using appropriate statistical tests.
    5. drawing conclusions based on statistical analysis of data.
    6. writing a scientific research paper based on the literature search and investigation.
    7. presenting the findings to a group of peers and/or faculty.
  3. The student will formulate plans for future research based on the current investigation by:
    1. evaluating the implications of the data to other related studies.
    2. generating new hypotheses and directions for future research.
    3. writing a grant proposal for future research possibilities.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

Submitted as 4910C; State approved as 4905C. C&I Approval: 10/12/2010, BOT Approval: 11/16/2010, Effective Term: Spring 2011 (435). C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Spring 2019 (555).
C&I Approval: 02/14/2019, BOT Approval: 03/19/2019, Effective Term: Fall 2019 (565)

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