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Undergraduate Research

USF is one of the nation’s top public research universities! Therefore, Undergraduate Research is a great opportunity that most, if not all, of our students should pursue.

We highly suggest that you begin looking at undergraduate research early in your academic career and approach the opportunity as if you are applying for a job.

Take the time to investigate all the research being conducted here at USF. If you see something that interests you contact the professor, via email, to see if they have an opportunity in their research lab.

Biology Undergraduate Research

Biology majors may earn up to 4 credit hours of undergraduate research credit to be counted toward their major electives. There are two types of undergraduate research credit:

  • BSC 4910: Undergraduate Research - Counts toward the BGY, CAM, CBO, ENB, EMB, IAB, MRB, and MRN majors ONLY
  • MCB 4905: Microbiology Undergraduate Research - Counts toward the MIC major ONLY

Keep in mind, many professors will prefer, and may even give preference to, students who can commit to more than one semester of work in their research lab. Therefore, we suggest that students spread out these 4 credit hours over 2-4 semesters.

Undergraduate research credit is graded as S/U grades ONLY.

Review the following department research pages to find faculty who are doing research here at USF: 

The Biology Undergraduate Research Process

Image outlining the steps for biology research (see transcript below if needed).

 Transcript of Biology Undergraduate Research Process Steps

Other Policies to Keep in Mind

  1. Research faculty advisors for MCB 4905 credit must be a USF Microbiologist.
  2. Students cannot receive both undergraduate research credit toward their major AND payment for their research project.
  3. Students cannot receive both undergraduate research credit toward their major AND Honors Thesis credit for the same work.
  4. Credit for undergraduate research cannot be provided retroactively. Students must register for research prior to the start of the semester they plan to participate.
  5. The project cannot be ‘transferred’ from another academic institution.

  6. If the student will be completing the work with someone who is not a USF faculty member within either the CMMB or IB departments, the student must do the following:

    • Make all research arrangements with the secondary institution/researcher
    • Find a CMMB or IB faculty member willing to "sponsor" the credit for the course
    • Complete the Undergraduate Research Contract with the USF faculty member who is "sponsoring" the work
    • Please keep in mind, USF faculty members are not required to sponsor your research with someone outside of the biology departments.

Chemistry REU Program

The Chemistry Department offers Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) with thier students. 

If you are interested in participating in the Chemistry REU, please review the Chemistry Department's REU webpage for more information. 

Please keep in mind, there is both a 0-credit (IDS 4914) option and 1, 2, & 3- variable credit (CHM 4970) course and for REU. CHM 4970 requires students write a research paper and present a poster at the end of the semester.

Geosciences Undergraduate Research

If you are interested in participating in research with a Geo faculty member, please reach out to the geo advisors at geoadvise@usf.edu.  

GeoSciences majors can also review their Canvas site for research opportunities posted regularly by faculty looking for volunteers. 

Math Undergraduate Research

The Math department does not offer major-specific research credit. 

If you are interested in participating in research with a Math faculty member, please reach out to the math advisor at mathadvise@usf.edu. 

Physics Undergraduate Research

The Physics Department offers research experience for students as PHY 4910 credit. 

If you are interested in participating in research with the Physics Department, please review the Physics Department's Research webpage for more information.

USF Office of High Impact Practices & Undergraduate Research 

The USF Office of High Impact Practices & Undergraduate Research also offers undergraduate research opportunities for students. 

Their office provides workshops, events, guides on how to get involved and/or published, etc. You can review their website to learn more! 

If you find a volunteer research opportunity either on or off campus, there are two ways to have this work be included on your USF Record: 

  1. Co-curricular Transcript - for more information reach out to the Center for Student Involvement
  2. IDH Research Credit - This 0 credit indicator can be added to your transcript through the enrollment with the Office of High Impact Practices & Undergraduate Research