All majors in the Biology Department at UNK, regardless of their emphasis, complete 2 hours of original research (BIOL 420). Research is the culmination of their biology learning experience, finally getting a chance to put into practice all the things they have learned during their first three years at a level far beyand what they will have done within any course. Research is done near the end of the students' academic stay and therefore requires that at least 16 hours of biology have been taken (including BIOL 375), including specific Biology courses necessary for the research to be undertaken. Students will also need the permission of the Biology professor who will be mentoring the research.
Scenes from several undergraduate research projects
In order to get any professor's permission, the student presents a formal research proposal (the particulars of which will be learned in BIOL 375) and convinces the professor that they will be able to perform the project. When convinced, the professor will mentor the student, and they will work on the project together. As a rule, one faculty member will mentor no more than 3 students at a time.
These research projects are independent investigations of a particular biological question. Each includes 3 hours of laboratory or field work per week for each hour of credit. A detailed journal is kept (something like a research diary), recording all information relevant to the project. In the end, a scientific paper about the investigation will be presented, along with a professional poster. Each student will also give a 20-minute PowerPoint oral presentation to the Biology faculty, their fellow students, parents and friends during a day-long seminar.
Two hours of research credit are required for a major or endorsement, but up to 5 hours of research can be done. The hours can include more than one project.