Undergraduate Research in the Biological Sciences
Research at Duke is organized by Principle Investigators (PIs), faculty scientists who receive grants, direct labs, mentor post-docs, graduate students and undergraduates. There are over 500 active PIs in the biological and biomedical sciences at Duke, a Tier 1 research institution. For a sampling of research at Duke, go to: research.duke.edu and visit the webpages of various Duke bioscience departments and research institutes.
There are several different mechanisms for getting involved in research at Duke:
1. Volunteer, Paid & Work-Study positions are excellent starting points to get into a lab. Contact PIs directly, look for announcements on Dukelist, and sign up for the biomajors listserve to receive announcements including postings for research positions. Get more info on finding a mentor.
2. Independent Study deepens your research experience as part of your course work, perhaps leading to an honors thesis.
Students in Biology are encouraged to pursue independent research projects in the biological sciences under the supervision or sponsorship of a faculty member. Up to 2 course credits (cc) in Independent Study will count as upper-level elective courses for the biology major, and one for the minor. Independent Study will also satisfy one of the two laboratory course requirements for the major, as well as the Small Group Learning Experience (SGLE) requirement for graduation. Additionally, Independent Study can satisfy the general education requirement for a Research Course (R).
All students should register for Independent Study under Biology 293 (191) for the first semester of a project. Registration in Biology 493 (297) is used for subsequent semesters in the same lab. The second semester, if it is a continuation in the same lab, will count toward the 400-level 'capstone' requirement (200-level prior to the renumbering) of the biology major. Students may also request Writing (W) credit for an independent study, typically in the second semester, with approval of their Research Supervisor and the DUS. No credit can be awarded for paid work.
Finding a Mentor
Getting Registered
Project Guidelines
Writing Intensive Independent Study
Independent Study AbroadStudents completing an Independent Study in Fall or Spring are eligible to apply for the Trinity College Research Forum. Trinity College will award 15 students as Research Forum Fellows. Fellows enroll in a special Spring seminar course, where they present and discuss their research projects, write and review research proposals, and discuss ethical issues in the conduct of biological and biomedical research. Fellows will also be awarded funding to support their projects. Information on the application (done in October) is here.
Forms:
Online Form for Independent Study with Faculty Outside of Biology
Form for Requesting a Writing Code (W) for a Research Independent Study Course
3. Apply for Summer Research Programs either here at Duke or elsewhere. These programs are typically competitive, with applications due in January or February. For listings of programs, visit http://www.biology.duke.edu/undergrad/fellowships.html and http://undergraduateresearch.duke.edu/opportunities
Additional Resources for Undergraduate Research:
Duke Undergraduate Research Support Office: Information on grants, assistantships, undergraduate research links, summer programs and more.
Duke Biology Box 90338 Durham, NC 27708 Phone: 919-660-7372 Fax: 919-660-7293