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Undergraduate Research: A Path to Success

undergraduate research

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.

Opportunities in Biology

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.

IUPUI Programs & Funding

Here are just some of the program and funding opportunities available to IUPUI students:

Center for Research and Learning: Academic Year Undergraduate Research Programs

IU Health Summer Student Research Program

Managed through the Methodist Research Institute at Indiana University Health, Inc., the Summer Student Research Program is designed to pair students in the sciences with biomedical researchers for a 12-week period from May to August. Not only does this opportunity provide students with a hands-on research experience, the program also assists researchers at the Methodist Research Institute and IU Health in completing a variety of innovative projects that might not otherwise be accomplished without student assistance. Learn more.

Life-Health Sciences Internships

Life-Health Sciences Internships connect IUPUI life and health sciences undergraduates with research and professional experience internships on and near the IUPUI campus. This program helps students to explore their career objectives and future career pathways while also fostering valuable professional connections between students and faculty and staff. The students belong to a community of interns and mentors who support one another throughout the internship experience and beyond. Internships run from the end of August to the beginning of May. Positions pay $10 per hour for up to 10 hours per week (15 weeks per semester for two semesters). Learn more and apply.

Application deadline: March 8

Post-baccalaureate Research and Education Program (PREP)

BIOMEDICAL OPPORTUNITY FOR UNDER-REPRESENTED STUDENTS

Currently PREP is accepting applications for the 2013-2014 cohort. PREP stands for Post-baccalaureate Research and Education Program and is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) training program. PREP is designed to enhance the ability of under-represented individuals in the biomedical sciences to gain entry to and succeed in nationally recognized Ph.D. programs.

This program is for recent graduates who want to continue their education specifically in the biomedical sciences. PREP's main benefit is to engage the scholar in cutting edge research for one full year with a faculty mentor of their choice. We also offer many other benefits, such as, annual salary, health/dental benefits, GRE preparation classes, tuition for academic courses, travel support to attend conferences and social and cultural activities.

The application process involves many steps, but there is no hard deadline. The first step is to go TO https://unmjobs.unm.edu and search for posting number 0818051, then click "View" to access the application.

For further questions or comments that you have, please contact the program coordinator, Antonio Bañuelos at PREP@unm.edu.

Undergraduate Research for Prospective Physician-Scientists

The IU School of Medicine is recruiting individuals who are seriously interested in pursuing integrated careers as physician-scientists or physician-engineers and want to obtain combined degree training in an M.D./ Ph.D. Program.  This is a program for individuals who will commit a significant component of their career to pursuing basic science, biomedical engineering, or human translational discovery within their professional career as a physician.  Individuals who wish to pursue a career as a physician only or individuals who envision biomedical discovery as a minor component of their professional career should not apply to this program, but should seek other programs available on campus designed for your desired career track. 

The program will pay each participant $3,500 for the ten-week summer experience, which begins May 29 and ends August 7.

Learn more.