Biology Research Semester

As a research semester student, you will work one-on-one with a GMU research faculty member while earning 12-15 upper division BIOL credit hours toward your degree through a combination of:

• BIOL 499: Research in Biology (9 credits),
• BIOL 498: Research Seminar (2 credits) and
• BIOL 314: Introduction to Research Design and Analysis (4 credits).

In addition to these required classes, students are expected to devote a minimum of 18-27 hours (per week) to their research projects.

Each student will present their research at the Biology Departments Celebrating Undergraduate Scholarship in addition to appropriate regional or national scientific meetings.

1. Students will be immersed in a full-time research project while earning 12-15 credits toward their degree requirements.
2. Students will have the chance to network with distinguished research faculty and research labs in their area of interest.
3. Students will have the opportunity to present their research in public and/or at a regional or national scientific meeting.
4. Students will have funding to support their research from the College of Science and/or the Students as Scholars program.

Graduates have reported that the Research Semester provided invaluable experience and enhanced their chances of:

• Postgraduate employment – by gaining valuable experience and techniques
• Admission to an MS or Ph.D. program
• Admission to a health-related professional program (Dental programs, Medical School, etc.).

The Research Semester is open to students who have achieved 60 credits and have completed the pre-requisites for the program in an appropriate amount of time. The ideal time would be to take it in the Fall of your Junior year (applied in the Spring of your Sophomore year) or the Fall of your Senior year (applied in the Spring of your Junior year). We highly recommend reaching out to your academic advisor to see if this program and its electives can work with your academic career plan. 

We also recommend checking out the list of our affiliate faculty for independent research opportunities outside the Research Semester, if the program doesn't work with your plan.

To qualify you must:

1. Have a declared Major in the College of Science (Neuroscience majors may be accepted).
2. Have a 3.0 GPA in your science courses.
3. Have successfully completed, at a minimum, BIOL 213, 214, CHEM 211-212 and at least one of the following: BIOL 300, 308, or 311.  (Courses should be completed by the beginning of the fall semester). 
4. Review the List of Research Projects and Faculty Mentors (located at the bottom of the page under Application) which contains project titles, descriptions and faculty mentor contact details.
5. Opportunities are also available at QUEST Diagnostics in Chantilly, VA.This experience will center on assay validation and/or improvement. The specifics will depend on the student’s abilities. To apply: Students should identify Quest in one of their project selections. For more information contact , contact our BIOL Research email.
6. Opportunities are also available at ATCC in Manassas, VA. This experience will be varied. To apply: Students should identify ATCC in one of their project selections. For more information, contact our BIOL Research email.
7. Complete the online application form (embedded below) and click Submit.

Applications typically open late in the Fall Semester and end early in the Spring semester. Due the highly competitive nature of this opportunity, we encourage applicants to apply early, preferably before the end of February is ideal.

Please check below for information about the current year's important deadlines. 

Research Semester students have the opportunity to receive awards at the Biology Research Celebration, which occurs in late November/early December. A panel of judges attend the event, and decide on a few key awards for overall performance and for rising seniors. 

For any questions or concerns not listed here, please email us at biolrsch@gmu.edu and/or Dr. Brittany Sutherland