Undergraduate Research
The UWRF Biology Department offers numerous opportunities for students to participate in research, beginning as early as your first semester on campus! The university also supports undergraduate research by offering Undergraduate Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity (URSCA) grants.
Research Opportunities
Science Education Alliance
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Small World Initiative
Tiny Earth
UWRF biology students have been participating in the Science Education Alliance (SEA) Phage Research Initiative since 2010. Sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), this project creates hands-on research opportunities for first year students. It's part of a national experiment to improve undergraduate biology education.
During the two-semester course, students isolate bacterial viruses (phage) from local soil, prepare the virus DNA for sequencing, annotate and compare the sequenced genome and collaborate with other institutions in the SEA network. Any first year biology or biotechnology major who is not taking a remedial course during their first semester may enroll in the HHMI course until the courses are filled.
Undergraduate Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity
UWRF is dedicated to providing opportunities and resources that foster high-quality student-faculty collaborative projects and enhance student development. The URSCA Office opened in spring 2013 with the mission to support and promote the culture of undergraduate research, scholarly and creative activity across campus. URSCA offers grants for travel and course-redesign as well as undergraduate stipends and expenses. Numerous biology students are awarded grants for research or travel each year.
