Undergraduate

Simply contact one of the IB faculty members who is currently researching something that interests you, and ask about an opportunities to volunteer. The faculty member may require that you have specific qualifications.

Once a faculty member agrees that you can volunteer in their laboratory, you will be required to file a volunteer application form with the IB Department. Please note that the IB Department will not grant retroactive credit for any work performed as a volunteer, should you later enroll in either BSC 4905 or BSC 4910.

As a student in one of the IB majors, you can count up to 4 credit hours of Undergraduate Research with an IB faculty member toward the major’s elective 4000+ level requirement for your degree. To earn major’s credit for research you must meet certain criteria. The criteria are:

A. Have a 3.0 USF GPA
B. Have a 3.0 Biology Majors GPA
C. Have completed at least 60 credit hours
If you think that you have met all of these criteria, then simply contact one of the IB faculty members who is currently researching something that interests you, and ask if they have an opportunity to sign you up for credit. The faculty member may require that you have additional specific qualifications.

Once a faculty member agrees to sign you up for credit in BSC 4910, you will be required to file an Undergraduate Research Contract for certification that you meet the criteria. Please do not file this contract with BioAdvise until the faculty member has agreed to host your research credits in their lab. Once you receive certification, you will be required to be permitted into the course by the IB Department.

You can register for this course to obtain credit toward the 120 hours needed to complete the degree, but you will not receive major’s credit. The IB Department allows students who do not qualify for enrolling in BSC 4910 to enroll in BSC 4905 to conduct research; and, upon satisfactory completion of the course and with instructor approval, to then enroll in BSC 4910 for major’s credit.

If you would like to register for BSC 4905, then simply contact one of the IB faculty members who is currently researching something that interests you, and ask if they would be willing to mentor you. The faculty member may require that you have specific qualifications. Once a faculty member agrees to be your mentor, you will be required to be permitted into the course by the IB Department.

As a student in one of the IB majors, you can count up to 4 credit hours of Undergraduate Research with an IB faculty member toward the major’s elective 4000+ level requirement for your degree.