Microbiology is an experimental science, and the best
way to understand microbiological principles and concepts
is to become actively involved in research. The Microbiology
department encourages students to become actively involved
in an undergraduate research project in the laboratory
of a Microbiology Department Faculty member. Undergraduate
research experience will benefit you whether you are
interested in graduate school, professional school,
or getting a microbiology-related job directly after
graduation.
Below,
we have provided information about research opportunities
that are available to our undergraduates. We encourage
you to explore these opportunities. Please contact
the Microbiology
Undergraduate Advisor or the Undergraduate
Research Advisor if you have questions about
these or other programs.
A student who is interested in research opportunities
should follow these steps:
- Review the Faculty
Research Interests Page to find a lab that
interests you.
- E-mail the faculty member to set up an appointment
to talk about research opportunities in their
lab. If the Faculty member agrees to have you
in their lab, you can discuss scheduling your
research hours, start date and number of credits
taken.
- Enroll in Microbiology 693 (beginning
Spring 2007, enroll in Micro. 699 instead of
693). Students usually sign up for
1 to 3 credit hours of research per quarter.
Each credit is approximately 4 hours per week
in a lab.
- Here are some examples of previous and ongoing
undergraduate
student research projects.
- More information on undergraduate research
opportunities at OSU can be found here.
Points to remember
- Undergraduate research is a serious commitment.
Faculty members are often only interested in having
students
who can commit to at least two quarters of research.
- You need to set up your research project a quarter
ahead of time. For example, if you want to start
research in winter quarter, you need to get everything
arranged
in the fall quarter.
- While research is important to your education,
so is doing well in your classwork. Therefore we
recommend
that you only consider undergraduate research if
you have a grade point average of 3.0 or better.
Honors research
Seniors have the option to enroll in Microbiology
H783, which involves a written thesis. To find out
more about this program, contact the Undergraduate
Honors Advisor.
Summer research experience
Exciting research opportunities are available at universities
across the country for students to participate in summer
research experience programs. More information on these
programs can be found at : http://www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm/reu/start.htm.
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