Undergraduate research in biology can be an important and rewarding part of a student's career at the University of Oregon. Biological research gives undergraduates the skills and knowledge necessary to answer diverse questions about biological processes and systems. Instead of simply reading about what other people have done to advance our understanding of biology, undergraduate researchers have the opportunity to make contributions to this understanding themselves. In fact, undergraduate research is an important gateway to continued work in the biological sciences. The first step towards doing research is getting into a laboratory.
Many students begin by discussing their interests with an advisor or teacher.
The advisor or teacher may then recommend faculty who are doing research in this area and refer students to the UO Graduate Biology Bulletin which contains information about faculty research interests. After this, undergraduates typically read recent research articles written by the professor they would like to work with, and talk to that person about doing a project in her or his lab. The rewards of biological research at the undergraduate level are numerous, the two most immediate being research credit through BI 401 and money. Although this year's grant deadline has passed, any researchers interested in earning money for the summer of 1994 should talk to a Biology advisor next year. The long term rewards of undergraduate research can be much more important, however.