|
Student Research Opportunities
Faculty commitment to meaningful research experiences for our students is a hallmark of the sciences at Goucher. The modern laboratory facilites in the Hofffberger Science Building (see Facilities) permit many different types of faculty-student research collaborations. Approximately one third of our majors elect to participate in directed research or independent research experiences, either with departmental faculty or research mentors at other institutions. The large number of research universities, medical schools and biotechnology companies in the Baltimore area provide nearly unlimited opportunities for our students to gain research experience in virtually any discipline within the life sciences and related fields.The biology faculty are actively-engaged in research and many have extramural support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other federal agencies and private foundations. The college also provides significant support for faculty-student research. Students present their research at national and international meetings and co-author a third of peer-reviewed faculty publications. About 40% of biology majors enter graduate programs and, over the past 15 years, 14.5% have earned Ph.D. degrees within 6 years of graduation, ranking this program in the top 20% among liberal arts colleges in the U.S.
DIRECTED RESEARCH
Students who are unsure whether they want to pursue an independent research experience may elect to take a Directed Research (BIO 291) course. The course may be repeated once with the same, or a different, faculty member, but only 2 credits of directed research may be counted toward the 40-credit total for the Biology major. Sophomore standing, or permission of the department is required to take BIO 291.
The student conducts laboratory or field research under the direction of a departmental faculty member. As for independent research projects, the student initially writes a brief research plan, outlining major goals of the research project. Upon completion of the research, a written report, in the form of a journal article, is submitted to the faculty sponsor.
Students who wish to be considered for Honors within the Biology major must complete an appropriate senior independent research course (BIO 390Y-399Y). Directed research does not meet these requirements (see below).
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
Independent research provides a special opportunity for advanced students to pursue a research topic in their area of interest. Students considering graduate studies are especially encouraged to explore this possibility with a departmental faculty sponsor.
The student designs a 2 semester (or, occasionally, summer plus 1 semester) laboratory or field research project, under the guidance of a faculty sponsor, whose experience is helpful in establishing what can reasonably be accomplished given available resources and the limited duration of the project. Experimental work should begin no later than fall semester of the senior year and, preferably, in the summer preceding the senior year. The research may take place on campus or at an off-campus location.
The Proposal
A research proposal should be submitted to each member of the Biological Sciences faculty for approval no later than the end of the second week of the semester in which research will begin. The proposal should include the following:
- Statement of Purpose. A clear statement of purpose, describing the aims of the proposed research and their relevance to the current state of knowledge in the area of investigation. The project is designed after a thorough literature survey and references to key papers in the field should be cited a bibliography.
- Experimental Plan. The design of the project is conducted in collaboration with the faculty research sponsor but should, to the extent that it is possible, be shaped independently by the student. An outline of methods and experimental approaches to be used, and expected results, are provided. Details of data acquisition and analysis techniques are included.
- List of Required Supplies and Equipment. A list of supplies and equipment required to support the proposed research project, and their estimated cost and availability, are provided.
- Projected Research Schedule. Projected time required to complete each phase of the research, including data analyses, etc. is indicated.
Final Report
The Final Report is a paper, written in the format of an article to be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal within a given discipline. Statistical treatment of data is expected, when appropriate. Copies of the paper are provided to the research advisor and other members of the department. Research of outstanding quality may be submitted for publication.
Oral Presentation
All student investigators are expected to share their research findings in a formal seminar presented to science faculty and students. The seminar is scheduled near the end of the spring semester and precedes BioBlast, the annual departmental picnic. The oral presentation is required for Honors in Biology.
OFF-CAMPUS INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
Occasionally, students demonstrate sufficient competence and maturity to pursue a program of scientific investigation in an off-campus research setting. Off-campus independent research is equivalent to Goucher-based independent study and earns 300-level biology credit. Off-campus independent research requires both careful planning and approval by all three parties involved (student researcher, Biological Sciences Department and the off-campus sponsor). It is best to make appropriate arrangements well in advance. This research may also fulfill the off-campus experience requirement (BIO 290 internship).
Courses at Marine Biology Laboratories or Biological Field Stations
Most universities and some independent laboratories have programs during January term, or during the summer months, that emphasize studies of living organisms in their natural environments. Students who wish to meet the requirement for an off-campus experience through a scheduled program at a marine biology laboratory or a biological field station must obtain approval of the department. The Mary Derrickson McCurdy Fellowship provides support for marine biology research at field stations (see Awards).