Undergraduate Research for Academic Credit in Biological Sciences

(BILD 99, BISP 196 or 199)

The Division of Biological Sciences offers three courses in which students can earn academic credit for conducting independent research. An application and research plan are required for each quarter of participation. Deadlines are strictly enforced.

Benefits

Gain hands-on lab experience
Study with outstanding faculty
Meet new people who share your interests
Explore a new field of study or enhance your current one
Get a head start in your career
Earn credit towards your Biology major
- One quarter of BISP 196 or 199 (if taken for 4 units) may apply to Biology major requirements as an elective (automatically) OR lab requirement (by request).
Opportunity to present your research at the Divisional Research Showcase

Course Options

BILD 99 - Independent Research (2 or 4 units)

Specifically for lower-division students.
Minimum 3.0 cumulative UC GPA
Minimum of 30 units completed (including units successfully transferred to UCSD, i.e. AP, transfer) and no more than 90 units completed.
Minimum one quarter commitment.
Variable unit course graded on pass/no pass basis
- 2 units = 60 hours of research over the course of the quarter (approximately 6 hours/week)
- 4 units = 120 hours of research over the course of the quarter (approximately 12 hours/week)
Earn lower-division credit. Does not satisfy a Biology major requirement.
Research must be related to Biological Sciences and is subject to approval by the Division.
Faculty sponsor/instructor must have a UCSD faculty title and is required to adhere to the Faculty Guidelines for Undergraduate Mentoring. Not limited to faculty in the Division of Biological Sciences. Please visit UCSD Biological Sciences Research Opportunities for potential sponsors/instructors. This is not an exhaustive list and students may also contact faculty that are not listed.
Credit may not be received for a course numbered 99 subsequent to receiving credit for a course numbered 199.
Completion of mandatory safety training and any other training related to the research you are conducting, as determined by your faculty sponsor/instructor.

BISP 196 – Honors Thesis in Biology (4 units)

Open to Biological Sciences majors with senior standing only.
Minimum 3.7 cumulative UC GPA and minimum 3.7 major GPA.
Minimum of 90 units completed (including units successfully transferred to UCSD, i.e. AP, transfer)
Three quarter commitment (Fall, Winter, Spring) to be completed during the students final three quarters at UCSD.
4 units = 120 hours of research over the course of the quarter (approximately 12 hours/week)

Graded on a pass/no pass basis.
Earn upper-division credit. One quarter of BISP 196 may apply to Biology major requirements as an elective (automatically) OR lab requirement (by request). Additional quarters will result in upper-division University credit.
Research must be related to Biological Sciences and is subject to approval by the Division.
Faculty sponsor/instructor is required to adhere to the Faculty Guidelines for Undergraduate Mentoring and must be affiliated with the Division of Biological Sciences
Requires completion of written thesis, presentation of research in the Divisional Research Showcase, and publication of research abstract in the Saltman Quarterly.
Students who successfully complete all the requirements for the Senior Honors Thesis Program will have “Distinction” recorded on their final transcript. This program is the ONLY way to earn distinction through the Division of Biological Sciences.
Additional Senior Honors Thesis Program information.
Completion of mandatory safety training and any other training related to the research you are conducting, as determined by your faculty sponsor/instructor.

BISP 199 – Individual Research for Undergraduates (2 or 4 units)

Minimum 3.0 cumulative UC GPA
Minimum of 90 units completed (including units successfully transferred to UCSD, i.e. AP, transfer)
Minimum one quarter commitment
Variable unit course graded on a pass/no pass basis
- 2 units = 60 hours of research over the course of the quarter (approximately 6 hours/week)
- 4 units = 120 hours of research over the course of the quarter (approximately 12 hours/week)

Earn upper-division credit. One quarter of BISP 199 may apply to Biology major requirements as an elective (automatically) OR lab requirement (by request). Any additional quarters will result in upper-division University credit.

Research must be related to Biological Sciences and is subject to approval by the Division.
Faculty sponsor/instructor must have a UCSD faculty title and is required to adhere to the Faculty Guidelines for Undergraduate Mentoring. Not limited to faculty in the Division of Biological Sciences. Please visit UCSD Biological Sciences Research Opportunities for potential sponsors/instructors. This is not an exhaustive list and students may also contact faculty that are not listed.
Completion of mandatory safety training and any other training related to the research you are conducting, as determined by your faculty sponsor/instructor.

How to Register

Identify a faculty member with whom you would like to do research. See the links above listed under the specific program.
Contact the faculty member to inquire about availability and to explain your interest/qualifications. It is recommended that you include information about your eligibility, your academic background, your research experience (if any), and why you are interested in the work being conducted in that particular lab. You may want to include your resume.
Once your placement is confirmed, work with the faculty member to complete the required application and research plan:
- BILD 99: Application for Enrollment Special Studies Courses 97, 98, 99 and Research Plan.
- BISP 196 or 199: Application for Enrollment Special Studies Courses 197, 198, 199 and Research Plan

Be sure to fill out the application and research plan completely, including all required signatures. This will help ensure a smooth application process.

Submit the completed application and research plan to the Biological Sciences Student and Instructional Services Office (Pacific Hall 1128) on or before the stated deadline. An application and research plan are required for each quarter of participation, even if work will continue in the same lab/working on the same project. Deadlines are strictly enforced! Early submission is encouraged.
- Summer 2012 (any session) participation – Friday, June 8, 2012 For specific Summer 2012 information, please click here.
- Fall 2012 participation – Monday, September 3, 2012
- Winter 2013 participation - Friday, December 7, 2012
- Spring 2013 participation - Friday, March 15, 2013

If the application is approved, students will be automatically enrolled during the first or second week of the quarter in which the research is to be conducted. Applicants will be contacted via the Virtual Advising Center (VAC) ONLY if there are problems with the application and/or enrollment.
Enjoy your research!

Questions? Please contact Biological Sciences Student & Instructional Services (Pacific Hall 1128) or call (858) 534-0557.