As a biological sciences student at Missouri S&T, you are likely to participate in research. In fact, over 80 percent of undergraduates in our program participate in research at some time during their college career. Students are encouraged to publish their work and present at regional and national meetings.

Students are strongly encouraged to review faculty research interests and schedule an appointment with a faculty member.  It is recommended that students contact faculty members via email. Faculty research interests are also found on the Faculty Directory page by clicking on the individual faculty member’s name.

Depending on the situation, students may:

• Volunteer as a research assistant. This provides an excellent introduction to research.
• Perform research for credit (BIO SCI 4099 Undergraduate Research).
• Apply for an OURE (Opportunity for Undergraduate Research Experiences) grant with a faculty advisor. This provides a stipend of $500. The application deadline is usually early March for the following academic year.
• Obtain employment in a research laboratory, contingent upon funding availability. Employment in research labs is also possible through the work-study program.
• Participate in iGEM, an interdisciplinary design team that uses synthetic biology in fields such as agriculture, medicine, alternative energy, and environmental contamination to solve real world problems.

Summer Research Opportunities

Biological sciences students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of summer research opportunities at universities and research foundations in the region and across the nation. These programs typically provide housing and a stipend. Applications are generally due in January for the upcoming summer. Biological sciences students have participated in summer programs at the National Institutes of Health, the Missouri Botanical Garden, Saint Louis Zoo, and The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine.

The biological sciences department maintains a list of programs in its office, 105 Schrenk Hall. You may also ask your advisor or the department chair about programs suited to your interests.