However, students are advised to avoid laboratories that are so large that the undergraduate might get lost in the shuffle. Forms may be obtained in the Biology Office, Rebstock 321. Reduced credit can be obtained for work started within the semester if approved by Professor Kohl. Much of the first semester consists of learning techniques and mastering the background and intellectual context of the ongoing research in the laboratory. We ask that the student be given material to read and then report back to the mentor.
Many mentors find a presentation by the student to be the best procedure.
In addition, students should participate in lab meetings and journal club and should be asked to present at appropriate intervals. By the end of the first or second semester the student should have sufficient mastery of techniques and intellectual context to participate in developing an experimental plan, which will be the heart of the Bio 500 project. The Biology Department recommends that the student be asked for a brief formal report either at times dictated by the rhythm of the work or at the end of the semester. The student should be required to think hard about what she or he has been doing, which is, of course, an extremely useful experience Usually students continue in Bio 500 for at least 3 semesters. In addition, they often have either fellowships or paying jobs in the laboratory during the summer.