Undergraduate Research in the Department of Biology at USF FAQ
If they are eligible, students may participate in undergraduate
research for credit hours towards their degree. There are two possible courses:
BSC 4910 (for biology research hours) and MCB 4905 (for microbiology research hours).
- Completed at least 60 hours of coursework.
- Have a USF GPA of at least 3.0.
- a Biology Major GPA of at least 3.0
Biology Major GPA is calculated using USF biology major courses only. Regardless
of major, if a student has not completed a USF biology major course, the student
is not eligible for BSC 4910/MCB 4905. For a full listing of USF biology major courses,
please see the Courses page.
There are no waivers for the departmental course requirements; however, each research
opportunity may have additional requirements established by the professor. Each
opportunity is handled by the overseeing research faculty member, who will complete
the Undergraduate Research Contract
with the student. The area of research will dictate the educational prerequisite
needs so that the student is ready to actively participate in research.
Flyers advertising different opportunities are posted by the Biology Department
as we receive information from the professors. A notebook with the flyers is available
in the Undergraduate Support Office (SCA 203) and may also be found on bulletin
boards. You can also review our faculty's research areas by clicking on "Research
Home" link to your right. Links to the flyers may also be viewed in the OASIS schedule
search results.
Not all faculty members advertise their opportunities on the departmental website.
A professor or graduate student may discuss the opportunity in a course or lab.
Some professors also post opportunities and instructions on their personal research
websites. You can also email a professor to inquire about opportunities.
If you wish to pursue a research opportunity outside the USF community, the following
guidelines must be met:
- NO transfer research credit is accepted
- NO retroactive credit is granted
- NO paid research activities are accepted
Please note: Research completed outside of the Department of Biology MUST have a
Tampa Campus Department of Biology Faculty Member as a Co-Research Advisor. For
example, you may complete undergraduate research at the USF College of Medicine,
but to receive BSC 4910 credit, you must still have a Tampa Campus Department of
Biology Professor as your Co-Research Advisor. Please visit the faculty pages on
this website to find a faculty member with similar research interests who may agree
to be a co-advisor.
For students to receive biology course credit for research, a student must meet
the prerequisites and complete an undergraduate research contract with a Tampa Campus
Department of Biology faculty member as their research advisor. Note: A qualified
Tampa Campus USF Bio/Micro Research Advisor is required on all research projects
for biology credit, even those conducted outside USF. Research Advisors for MCB
hours must be a USF Microbiologist.
If you are eligible for undergraduate research, first get the prerequisites verified
by a Biology staff member (see above for prerequisites). Then you may approach a
faculty member about participating in his/her opportunity.
When you meet with a potential research advisor, do not show up empty handed. Be
sure to bring your Undergraduate
Research Contract which has already had the prerequisites pre-approved.
We recommend bringing a copy of your unofficial transcript or SASS report and any
additional information that will assist the faculty member in agreeing to serve
as your research advisor.
For students wishing to participate in research outside of the department, be sure
to bring all information pertaining to the potential research opportunity, including
(a) a brief proposal of your planned research, and (b) a letter on official letterhead
from your research advisor verifying that he/she is willing to direct your planned
research.
Once your Undergraduate Research
Contract is complete, your research advisor will be responsible for submitting
the Undergraduate Research Contract to the biology department divisional office.
The division will assign a CRN (course reference number), grant you a permit for
the course, and email you with the information. You will then be able to register
for BSC 4910 or MCB 4905 Undergraduate Research on OASIS using the CRN provided
by the department.
Biology and microbiology majors are not required to participate in undergraduate
research; however, we are one of the few departments that will allow undergraduate
research to count toward a student's major requirements.
For many students, research experience is necessary for future goals, but is not
necessary to be shown on an official transcript. If you are not eligible for undergraduate
research, you may approach a faculty member about participating as a volunteer in
their opportunity. We encourage students who are not eligible for undergraduate
research to participate in internships or volunteer opportunities. Be sure to complete
the required volunteer forms which are available by using the Safety link on left.
Microbiology Majors
Only MCB 4905 will count toward the Microbiology Major. BSC 4910 will count toward
free electives but it will not count toward the Microbiology Major. You must have
a microbiologist as research advisor or co-research advisor.
Honors College Students
Undergraduate Research credit from the Department of Biology must be separate from
the research required for Honors College. You may build on the research completed
for Honors, but you cannot submit the same information for additional credit.
Other Majors
Biology Undergraduate Research will not count toward other majors, but may count
as an upper-level free elective. Please contact your academic major advisor for
information specific to your degree requirements.