Senior Thesis . One of the most exciting aspects of the undergraduate major in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program is the opportunity to conduct research with one of the faculty. These projects involve work focused in areas of biochemistry and are often part of a longer term program being conducted in one of the research groups in the program. Besides giving the undergraduate a sense of what research is like, they also provide the opportunity for experience with sophisticated instrumentation and techniques beyond those available in teaching laboratories. Students interested in undergraduate research must be well prepared with advanced lecture and laboratory courses in the appropriate areas.
Students consult with a relevant faculty member within the biochemistry and molecular biology major.
Arrangements are made with a faculty person to sponsor the student, discuss in advance an appropriate research project, a series of laboratory experiments, and the format of the written thesis. A thesis normally takes three quarters to complete. Students who select a sponsor outside the BMB major should have the title and description of the proposed thesis reviewed by the Program Chair. Students performing their thesis research project at an outside institution must make prior arrangements with the Program Chair. Upon approval of the project, the student will be assigned a BMB faculty co-sponor.