Overview of Undergraduate Research

At Truman State University, we believe that our educational effectiveness is directly related to our practice of involving students and faculty in undergraduate research.

Truman State University has an excellent tradition of undergraduate research in biology. All biology faculty members are active scholars who value the partnership of students in research. One can learn many lessons by doing research in biology - about the science itself, and also about close collaboration with other persons, time management, and taking personal responsibility, to name just a few. And, of course, one will discover how well one likes the research process - the joys and sorrows of the act of testing and deepening our understanding of the living world. The research process is central to a number of careers in biology, and one who contemplates such a career is wise to explore the research experience in detail.

So how to begin? Well, step one is to become familiar with the various research interests of the faculty. A roster of the biology faculty members and their research specialties is included in the Biology handbook, and is available on the WWW (see below). Then, choose some faculty member whose work intrigues you, and schedule appointments to discuss the possibility of your involvement in their research program. These discussions allow you to learn the nature of the person's research in detail, and what possibilities for collaboration exist. If you and the faculty member decide to work together, an informal "contract" should be established. Each person involved should specify what they will give to the collaboration, and what they expect to get from it. Expect modest involvement at first. You need to discover the strength of your own interest in the work, and the faculty member needs to be assured that you are prepared to do what is necessary to have a significant research experience. Biology elective credit can be had by arrangement (BIOL 441, 442, and 443) to support research involvement. Many faculty are open to supporting your work on a scholarship renewal or work-study basis.

It is important to know that the faculty regards partnering students in research as one of our most important tasks. The faculty stands eager to work with student collaborators. However, we must rely on some student initiative to begin projects. Therefore, do not be the least bit shy about asking a faculty member for time to discuss the possibility of a research experience for you.