This course, which is intended for juniors, was funded by a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. In this course the students present their research results to their peers and the faculty, both in the form of oral presentations as well as a poster session in the spring. Further, speakers in the fall discuss various research career options. In the senior year, eligible students can take honors research, either through the department, or through the Henry Rutgers Scholars Program or other College Honors programs. These honors students take 6 credits of research per semester and present both an oral and written thesis in April of their senior year.
Students can find active research going on in almost all areas of the molecular biosciences.
While the departmental advisor can make suggestions, it is the student's responsibility to identify specific laboratories of interest, to speak with the principal investigator, and to arrange for laboratory research. It should be emphasized that almost all investigators at the two universities are willing to have undergraduates working in their laboratories. Practical experience in a laboratory is very useful in helping an undergraduate decide about future career choices. The experience of working in a laboratory, alongside graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and other researchers provides the student with an understanding of the modern scientific approach for the solution of basic research problems. Students are advised to check the Home Pages of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry for additional details and information about MBB research options.