Research Opportunities
You don't have to wait for Graduate school to do research! The Biology Department at the University of Dayton has a long and successful history of involving undergraduates in research. At some point during their undergraduate career, approximately 45% of our students take advantage of active research projects with UD faculty. These research opportunities may occur during the academic year or during the summer. Subsequent to this undergraduate research, many of our graduates have pursued full careers in research.
The University/College of Arts and Sciences is strongly committed to providing our students with meaningful real world research experience by offering competitive fellowship support for undergraduate research.
To get started, narrow down your research interests. This can be done in several ways:
- First, think about the courses that you have taken and the subjects that interest you;
- Second, find out about faculty research by reviewing faculty member profiles on our website.
- Third, browse scholarly journals in your area of interest.
Once you have topic in mind, and have identified the appropriate faculty member for that research specialization, you should arrange a meeting with that faculty member to discuss your project. At this meeting you'll review the details of the project, including scientific objectives, timetables, and expectations for your role. To formalize your project you can choose to do an Honors Thesis Project (BIO 477, 478), or an Individual Research Project (BIO 421) as described below:
The Honors Thesis project is an independent, substantial research project worth six semester hours of credit. It is initiated by the student and directed by a faculty member who has agreed to work with the student. Approval of the topic and the advisor will come from the chairperson(s) of the participating department(s). Normally students will register for the first three semester hours of thesis credit in the second semester of their junior year and the second three semester hours of thesis credit in the first semester of their senior year.
To learn more visit the Honors Programs web site:
http://www.honors.udayton.edu/honors/thesis/thesis.htm
What if you are not interested, or eligible, to do an Honors Thesis Project?
Students who are not eligible to do an Honors Thesis Project, or who are not interested in that option, can still participate in a research project in the Biology Department. In this research option, the student engages in a laboratory based research problem arranged with a faculty member. All projects must be approved by the Chairperson of the Department through a straightforward process in which the student and faculty advisor write a description of the proposed project. The project will then be approved by the Chairperson of the Department. Approved projects will count for one upper level elective laboratory.
Learn on the job, for the job! Internships and co-ops are great ways to gain experience and expertise but also to possibly obtain a permanent position in your area of interest! To learn more about Internships and Co-op opportunities, please visit the internships page of the career development section of our site.
Learn more about undergraduate research opportunities:
Student Spotlight Presenting Research Financial Support Off-Campus Opportunities