Undergraduate Research in Biology

Students are encouraged to do undergraduate research if they plan on being a research scientist (going on for a Ph.D. or M.D./PhD.), plan on working in a research laboratory with a Bachelor of Science degree, or plan on attending medical school.

The prime time to begin research is typically semester 4 or 5. Beginning in semester 6 is also reasonable, particularly if students plan to stay at Texas State in the summer. Some students may wish to begin sooner, particularly, if they know that they want a research career. Beginning in semester 7 is generally too late to do a project, but one may learn a great deal about research by sitting in on the activities of a research laboratory.

Students can take Undergraduate Research (BIOL 4299) for research credit. Students will need to decide on a research mentor, meet individually with that mentor and if an agreement is reached then the student should register for the class under the advisors name. A more detailed description of research by individual faculty may be found on the website for the Department of Biology. Click on "Faculty and Staff" and then click on "Faculty Directory" for complete research descriptions.

While a student may approach a potential mentor, sometimes faculty know they need help from students and/or they have funding for undergraduate help. You may find these positions advertised around the Department, on the individual faculty member's webpage, or listed below. Additionally, there is a small amount of funding available for undergraduate research from the Francis Rose Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research.

Research Opportunities:

Funding Opportunities:

Francis Rose Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research.

Research being performed:

Biology Colloquium

This is a great venue for presenting the results of your research and to see what others in the department are doing