BI 415 - Senior Research

Course Description: 

This course is a limited, but original biological research project which will investigate (a) specific biological question(s) in an experimental manner. Data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted. Conclusions will be derived and/or limitations of the study will be determined. The ultimate results of this project, no matter the degree of success, will be reported in both a written research report of the proper form and as one or more formal oral presentations.     Students excelling in this course will gain vital experience in conducting research/collecting data and performing critical analysis in pursuit of the academic scholarly model. Students will train in a focused area under the direct supervision of a faculty mentor who will train them to be a researcher. Undergraduate research students will work collaboratively with their mentor to plan a course of study, formulate appropriate research questions, develop appropriate conceptual and technical skills, evaluate research findings, draw conclusions, and present a scholarly summary of this work in both written and oral reports.   The culmination of this regular schedule of study will be formal presentation of research findings in a professional forum and the submission of a written final research report in the format appropriate to the field or discipline. Participants in undergraduate research can expect to present their research findings, or a progress report, at Park's annual Research and Creative Scholarship Forum.  The student will also create a poster outlining the research project and results suitable for presentation at a scientific association conference.
This project will complement and expand on a traditional biology education by emphasizing two essentials of a superior education:
       1. Active involvement of the student in performing all aspects of research scholarship -- as opposed to acting as the passive recipient of other people's written and spoken words of wisdom.
       2. Hands-on training in all phases of "research" is provided under optimal supervision by direct collaboration with (a) faculty mentor(s). The student benefits from considerable guidance from faculty mentors -- in planning a course of study, in formulating research questions, in developing conceptual and technical skills, in evaluating research findings, and in presenting research in both written and oral reports. Each undergraduate researcher will be trained in skills employed by research scientists.

Credit Hours: 3:0:3

^ Back to the Top

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

University Resources