Undergraduate Research: A Path to Success

Undergraduate Biology majors at IUPUI have unparalleled opportunities to get involved in cutting-edge research in biology and medical science. Students may choose from an array of biology research options that allow them to work one-on-one with world renowned faculty in a laboratory environment - as early as the freshman year! Many students have pursued research projects for all four years of their undergraduate study, have authored research articles in prestigious biology and medical journals, and presented their work at major scientific conferences. Research students benefit from personal attention and excellent academic and career advising.

All biology students pursuing the BA or the BS are expected to complete a capstone.  The capstone is "an independent creative effort of the student that is integrative and builds on the student's previous work in the major."  Toward the end of their undergraduate careers, students can choose to do a project or complete library research on an area of interest (BIOL-K490) or engage in research in a faculty member's lab (BIOL-K493).

The Department of Biology offers a wide variety of research options. Students may work with faculty members on research projects in the areas of Biochemistry, Biology Education, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Plant Biology, and Regenerative Biology.

Undergraduate Research Funding Opportunities

Undergraduate students may begin research as early as their freshman year. Students interested in research should contact any of the professors in the department. Work placements for students in the Freshman Work Program include the opportunity to work in research labs in biology. Sophomores and juniors may apply for the Life/Health Sciences Internship Program, which offers many opportunities for research in the IU School of Medicine and other health professions schools on campus.

The Center for Research and Learning maintains a list of many IUPUI sponsored Undergraduate Funding Opportunities, and others may be found through the IU School of Medicine. Several of these that may be of interest to you include the University Research Opportunities Program (UROP), Multidisciplinary undergraduate research institute (MURI), and Commitment to Excellence in STEM Scholarship (contact Angel Campbell).