Welcome to the Undergraduate Research Home Page!
Welcome to the Undergraduate Research Home Page! At this site is information about undergraduate research opportunities with TROY Biology faculty, as well as information about past and current undergraduate projects. If you have any questions, please email Dr. Landers, the coordinator of undergraduate research for the department.
Getting started in research
If you are interested in finding a research project, look at the individual faculty web pages to see their research interests by clicking here.
Contact that faculty member and discuss the possibility of working on a research project. Your project, level of involvement and commitment are agreed upon between you and the faculty member. The Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences has written a HANDBOOK FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH. Please read over this handbook for more information about research projects.
无码巨乳 Credit Research projects can be taken for credit or just for the experience. If you are interested in research credit, you will need to sign up for BIO 4491/4492. Students interested in research credit should have junior or senior standing at 无码巨乳 University.
Advantages of credits/signing up for credit
Your research will appear on your transcripts. You will have a more in-depth involvement in the project.
Disadvantages of signing up for credit
You will have to hand in a report and satisfy syllabus requirements. You will have to pay tuition for the credit.
Student Research Travel Grants
The Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at 无码巨乳 encourages students who are biology and environmental science majors to conduct undergraduate and graduate research with faculty members in the department. The primary goal of the grants is to support student travel to give presentations resulting from their research at professional conferences.
ELIGIBILITY:
Students pursuing B.S. or M.S. degrees in biology or environmental science at 无码巨乳 University and who have conducted research resulting in abstracts accepted/published in official proceedings of scientific conferences are eligible to apply for a grant. Applicants must be officially registered as students at 无码巨乳, and proposals must be submitted prior to professional conference dates.
PROPOSAL GUIDELINES:
A. Cover sheet
The cover sheet should include the following: names, addresses, email addresses,
and phone numbers of the student investigator(s) and their faculty advisors.
B. An official copy of the accepted/published abstract resulting from research conducted while pursuing a B. S. or M.S. degree at 无码巨乳 and a copy of the oral/poster presentation will be submitted.
C. Anticipated benefits to the student(s), faculty advisor(s), and 无码巨乳 by attending and presenting at the professional conference of interest will be summarized.
D. An itemized budget will be submitted.
A detailed budget must be provided. Budget items may include the following: conference registration, mileage or air fare, lodging, meals, printing costs, and oral presentation preparation (not for purchase of computer hardware or software). Proof of these costs (official receipts) will be submitted to the department after the conference is attended and the presentation has been made. Funds will be provided on a reimbursement basis.
Proposals are reviewed by a 无码巨乳 Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences evaluation committee. Proposals are submitted to Dr. Wayne Morris, Professor of Biology, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, MSCX 210F, 无码巨乳, 无码巨乳, AL 36082.
GRANT AMOUNTS:
Funding requests in amounts up to $750 per conference are allowed. If multiple students are giving the same presentation, transportation and lodging will need to be shared and monetary requests reflecting this accordingly.
RESPONSIBILITY OF GRANTEE:
Recipients of grants must acknowledge the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences in any scientific articles as well as in any professional presentations resulting from the work supported.
Handbook for Undergraduate Student Research
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, 无码巨乳. 无码巨乳, AL 36082 (Revised Feb 2020)
PREFACE
The purpose of this Handbook is to provide guidelines for undergraduates doing research
in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at 无码巨乳, and
also to provide information to help students with their projects
WHY DO RESEARCH?
Deciding to complete a research project is potentially one of the most important decisions that a student can make. What are the benefits of completing a research project?
- Have an enjoyable experience while increasing knowledge of fundamental principles
of biology
- Increase understanding of the scientific method
- Develop skills that prepare you for future academic or work experience
- Get to know faculty and other students
- Contribute to the field of biology
- Possibly attend meetings and conferences and publish results
- Possibly obtain scholarships or fellowships available to student researchers
- Make a positive impression on graduate schools, medical schools, other professional
schools, or future employers
- Decide if a future career in a research-oriented field is appropriate
GETTING STARTED
Once a student decides to participate in undergraduate (UG) research, the student
must find a Faculty Supervisor. Students can investigate the areas of expertise and
interests of the faculty in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences
by looking at individual faculty web pages (available at the Department home page).
Students should then schedule an appointment with the potential Faculty Supervisor
to find out if undergraduate research opportunities are available with that faculty
member. Each faculty member and project will have different requirements for student
academic achievement (GPA), prerequisite coursework, project length, and workload.
The Faculty Supervisor will decide whether a student is a match for a particular project
based on student background, enthusiasm, and schedule.
Once it is agreed that a student will participate in a particular project, the student must then decide if he/she would like to sign up for research credit (Guided Independent Research BIO 4491, BIO 4492 or Guided Independent Study BIO 4493, BIO 4494). [Note: Approval by the Faculty Supervisor is required before a student can enroll in Guided Independent Research or Guided Independent Study.]
There are advantages and disadvantages for enrolling in BIO 4491-4494. The advantages are: 1) students will tend to have more involvement in the project if taking it for credit and 2) BIO 4491, 4492, 4493, and/or 4494 will count as upper-level BIO electives. The disadvantages are 1) students have to pay tuition for BIO credits and 2) students will be committed to a more regular schedule and have to follow a syllabus of requirements (see Appendices for sample syllabi).
If a student decides to take Guided Independent Research or Study, he/she makes arrangements
with the Faculty Supervisor and sign up for the class. Students may take BIO 4491
or BIO 4493 for 1-3 hours credit each. If the student wants to continue the project
for credit after the first semester, they may sign up for the continuation course,
(either BIO 4492 or BIO 4494) for 1-3 credit hours. A maximum of 6 credits is allowed
in BIO 4491-4494. Alternatively, the student may choose to continue to participate
in the research without receiving additional credit.
THE RESEARCH PROJECT
Good research projects are well-planned and developed before data collection begins. At the beginning of your project, the student meets with the Faculty Supervisor to discuss many aspects of the project, including:
1) Objective
路 What are the short term and long term goals, and expected results?
2) Rationale
路 What is the experimental approach and reason for conducting the project?
3) Hypothesis/Testing of hypothesis
路 What is the hypothesis that is being tested?
路 Is your approach suitable for testing your hypothesis?
4) Methods
路 What specific methods will be used in the lab/field?
路 What background knowledge will you need?
路 What will your involvement be in this aspect of the project?
5) Analysis of data
路 How will the data be analyzed, examined, and recorded?
路 What will your involvement be in this aspect of the project?
6) Timeline for project, weekly schedule.
路 How much work will this project involve?
路 How many hours per week?
路 How long will you be involved with this project?
7) Safety
路 Each student should read and sign a Departmental lab safety and/or field safety guidelines sheet before beginning.
路 Each student should make him/herself aware of any chemical hazards involved with the project. Talk to your Faculty Supervisor about chemical hazards, read pertinent Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), and follow lab safety guidelines.
路 Students should talk to their Faculty Supervisor about personal safety issues, such as avoiding research hours at night and avoiding collections in unsafe locations.
路 Students should be aware of current Departmental procedures for chemical storage, disposal, and any laboratory safety issues specific to a Faculty Supervisor鈥檚 laboratory.
8) Presentation of data
路 Will this research be presented at a scientific meeting?
路 Are there abstract deadlines that need to be followed?
路 Who will write and author publications from this research?
9) Permission
路 Student and Faculty Supervisor should obtain appropriate licenses and collection permits
路 Project must be approved by the University鈥檚 Non-human Subjects Review Committee
Once the student understands these fundamental principles of research, the project
can be designed and research initiated. Keep in mind that UG research is 鈥済uided鈥.
All phases of the project are supervised and approved by the Faculty Supervisor.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Ownership of research data and notebook
All data collected in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences are the property of 无码巨乳 and are administered by the Faculty Supervisor. All students must maintain a research notebook and other appropriate records of their research data (autoradiographs, computer printouts, computer files, digital photographs, programs, specimens, etc.), as directed by the Faculty Supervisor. The Faculty Supervisor will provide a laboratory notebook and other data recording materials (jump drives, etc.). The notebook serves as a research diary for recording the raw data. The notebook and any other records of the research must always be kept in the laboratory. All original data and specimens must be provided to the Faculty Supervisor before the student graduates and at the end of the project. Data collected during a 无码巨乳 UG project may not be presented at any meeting, posted on the internet in any way, or published in any form before or after graduation without the prior consent of the Faculty Supervisor.
Publication and presentation of data
Data collected from UG research may be published by the Faculty Supervisor in abstracts, conference papers, journal articles, book chapters, reports, and other appropriate means for disseminating data. Further, this data may be presented at conferences or used to support grant applications or any other use deemed appropriate by the Faculty Supervisor.
Authorship for publications
The Faculty Supervisor may include the student as an author on publications resulting from the work if the student contribution is, in the opinion of the Faculty Supervisor, sufficient to merit authorship. Much time and effort is required by the Faculty Supervisor to effectively coordinate and oversee UG student involvement in a project. The Faculty Supervisor develops the research idea; provides instruction regarding techniques, methodologies, and approaches; oversees basic laboratory instruction; and writes or reviews the abstracts and papers resulting from the research. Data obtained from an UG project can be presented or published as an independent project or combined with data from the Faculty Supervisor鈥檚 research or with data from other student projects. The order of authorship is an important issue in academia. Authorship and the order of authors in a publication are determined by the Faculty Supervisor. Typically the Faculty Supervisor will be the primary author on publications and reports that include or are derived from UG research. Authorship issues need to be discussed candidly by the student and Faculty Supervisor at the beginning of the project.
Collecting permits and licenses, and University approval
Research requiring collection of organisms, or environmental sampling, needs to be designed to have minimal impact on natural resources. Appropriate Federal, State, or local (including University) permits and licenses for fieldwork and collections have to be obtained prior to data collection. Additionally, permission should be obtained from landowners before collection on private property takes place. If needed, the Faculty Supervisor can assist in obtaining these permits and licenses.
Many Federal, State, and Local agencies require licensing for research involving animal care, drugs, endangered species, and radioactive isotopes. In addition, 无码巨乳 requires that the Non-human Subjects Review Committee approve all research projects. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in the loss of a license for the Department or the University. Moreover, the violator may be subject to Federal, State, or Local penalties. Students should check with the Faculty Supervisor to determine whether licenses are necessary.
Professional conduct and plagiarism
Students and faculty are expected to conform to the codes of ethics and conduct established by professionals in their fields. Intentional plagiarism involves copying the work of others and representing it as one's own. Serious breaches of codes of conduct, such as data fabrication, plagiarism, unprofessional conduct, or a disregard for the need to obtain the appropriate licenses, may result in both disciplinary action and a failing grade in Guided Independent Research or Study. If the student has questions about codes of ethics, professional conduct, or the proper citation of material, he/she should ask their Faculty Supervisor for clarification.
University reporting requirements (for Faculty Supervisors):
1) All research projects must be approved by the Non-human Subjects Review Committee
2) A course syllabus must be given to the student at the beginning of the term and must be on file in the Department office (for students taking research for credit. See Appendix I and II for sample formats).
3) A final written report must be submitted by the student. This report can be submitted in a variety of formats (printed copy of meeting presentation with summary report, written paper, data notebook with summary report) as determined by the Faculty Supervisor. Copies of this report must be on file in the Department office at the end of the course (for students taking research for credit).
4) A Student work agreement is required for research projects not enrolled for course credit.
APPENDIX I
BIO 4491 鈥 Guided Independent Research, Section XXXX, 1 Credit Fall 2015
Location: 201 MSCX Time: Arranged
Text: None, though student must read, follow, and understand the Handbook for Undergraduate
Research
Course Instructor: Dr. S C. Landers 210A MSCX 670-3661. slanders@troy.edu
Office Hours: Arranged
Student: John Smith
Research project for John Smith: Morphological analysis of the trematode parasite Alloglossidium.
Course description, objectives: Undergraduate research with attention to critical evaluation of research techniques,
methods, and procedures.
Course learning objectives: Students will learn how to conduct research, record data, and produce a scientific presentation.
Desired competencies: Students will develop independence in the laboratory regarding their research project and will learn how to write a scientific abstract.
Method of instruction: Individual instruction in the laboratory.
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, permission of guiding professor (Faculty Supervisor), approval of the Department Chair and Dean. A written request must be submitted to the Department Chair at least two weeks in advance of the term that the research is to be undertaken; application forms are available in University Records. GIR may be taken only in the applicant鈥檚 major or minor field.
Requirements: Students must follow University regulations concerning eligibility. Students are required to work on their research project for a minimum of 3 hours/week per credit hour. At the end of the course the student must submit a project report/data report.
Important dates:
Aug 19 Last day for to WD w/o owing full tuition, drop w/o financial penalty
Aug 19 Last day to add a course
Sept 3rd Labor Day Holiday
Oct 19 Last day to withdraw or drop without academic penalty
Nov 12 Holiday
Nov 24-26 Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec. 1st- Due date for ASB abstracts
Grading:
1) Attendance, work effort, performance, and adherence
to lab/ field safety rules:
50 pts
(25 given before drop date, remaining 25 given at the end of the course)
2) Submission of an acceptable scientific abstract (Due Dec 1st) 50 pts
3) Submission of laboratory data and preparation of either an oral
(powerpoint) or poster presentation (preliminary or final, as instructed)
50 pts
Total 150 points
Grading scale: A > 90%, B > 80%, C > 70%, D > 60%, F < 59.9%.
Course policies:
1) Attendance. Attendance and participation is required. Due to the nature of research, your hours may change to accommodate the research goals. If you are habitually late or absent from announced lab work times, the instructor may assign you a grade of FA and reassign your project to another student. Exceptions will be made if you can provide a University approved excuse (note from physician, official university function, illness in immediate family) for your missed lab dates.
2) Attendance and work effort grade. Your instructor will provide you with a grade before the drop date.
3) Research paper/data report. Specific requirements are available from your Faculty Supervisor. Students are required to hand in a final written report.
4) 无码巨乳 supports Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which insure that postsecondary students with disabilities have equal access to all academic programs, physical access to all buildings, facilities and events, and are not discriminated against on the basis of disability. Eligible students, with appropriate documentation, will be provided equal opportunity to demonstrate their academic skills and potential through the provision of academic adaptations and reasonable accommodations. Further information, including appropriate contact information, can be found at the link for 无码巨乳鈥檚 Office of Human Resources at http://www.troy.edu/humanresources/ADAPolicy2003.htm.
5) Additional Services. Students who have or may be dealing with a disability or learning difficulty should speak with the instructor, contact the Adaptive Needs Program (102 Eldridge Hall), or call 670-3220. Various accommodations are available through the Adaptive Needs Program.
6) Lab Safety. Absolutely no eating, drinking or use of tobacco in the lab. All students must read, understand, and sign the Departmental lab safety rules and/or field safety rules handouts. Additional laboratory or field rules may be given to the student and must be followed.
7) Incompletes. Will be given only in special circumstances. See Bulletin for guidelines.
APPENDIX II
(Sample syllabus for Bio 4493 and Bio 4494. Faculty should consult the Faculty handbook for syllabus essentials)
BIO 4493 鈥 Guided Independent Study, Section XXXX, 1 Credit Fall 2015
Location: 201 MSCX Time: Arranged
Text: None, though student must read, follow, and understand the Handbook for Undergraduate
Research
Course Instructor: Dr. S C. Landers 210A MSCX 670-3661. slanders@troy.edu
Office Hours: Arranged
Student: John Smith
Research project for John Smith: Morphological analysis of the trematode parasite Alloglossidium.
Course description, objectives: Supervised study through internship, field or laboratory projects, guided readings,
creative endeavors, or achievement in specific skills.
Course learning objectives: Students will learn how to conduct research, record data, and produce a scientific presentation.
Desired competencies: Students will develop independence in the laboratory regarding their research project and will learn how to write a scientific abstract.
Method of instruction: Individual instruction in the laboratory.
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing, permission of guiding professor (Faculty Supervisor), approval of the Department Chair and Dean. A written request must be submitted to the Department Chair at least two weeks in advance of the term in which the study is to be undertaken; application forms are available from University Records.
Requirements: Students must follow University regulations concerning eligibility. Students are required to work on their research project for a minimum of 3 hours/week per credit hour. At the end of the course the student must submit a project report/data report.
Important dates:
Aug 19 Last day for to WD w/o owing full tuition, drop w/o financial penalty
Aug 19 Last day to add a course
Sept 3rd Labor Day Holiday
Oct 19 Last day to withdraw or drop without academic penalty
Nov 12 Holiday
Nov 24-26 Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec. 1st- Due date for ASB abstracts
Grading:
1) Attendance, work effort, performance, and adherence to lab/ field safety rules: 50 pts
(25 given before drop date, remaining 25 given at the end of the course)
2) Submission of an acceptable scientific abstract (Due Dec 1st) 50 pts
3) Submission of laboratory data and preparation of either an oral (powerpoint) or
poster presentation
(preliminary or final, as instructed)
50 pts
Total 150 points
Grading scale: A > 90%, B > 80%, C > 70%, D > 60%, F < 59.9%.
Course policies:
1) Attendance. Attendance and participation is required. Due to the nature of research,
your hours may change to accommodate the research goals. If you are habitually late
or absent from announced lab work times, the instructor may assign you a grade of
FA and reassign your project to another student. Exceptions will be made if you can
provide a University approved excuse (note from physician, official university function,
illness in immediate family) for your missed lab dates.
2) Attendance and work effort grade. Your instructor will provide you with a grade
before the drop date.
3) Research paper/data report. Specific requirements are available from your Faculty
Supervisor. Students are required to hand in a final written report.
4) 无码巨乳 supports Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which insure that postsecondary students
with disabilities have equal access to all academic programs, physical access to all
buildings, facilities and events, and are not discriminated against on the basis of
disability. Eligible students, with appropriate documentation, will be provided equal
opportunity to demonstrate their academic skills and potential through the provision
of academic adaptations and reasonable accommodations. Further information, including
appropriate contact information, can be found at the link for 无码巨乳鈥檚 Office
of Human Resources at http://www.troy.edu/humanresources/ADAPolicy2003.htm.
5) Additional Services. Students who have or may be dealing with a disability or
learning difficulty should speak with the instructor, contact the Adaptive Needs
Program (102 Eldridge Hall), or call 670-3220. Various accommodations are available
through the Adaptive Needs Program.
6) Lab Safety. Absolutely no eating, drinking or use of tobacco in the lab. All students
must read, understand, and sign the Departmental lab safety rules and/or field safety
rules handouts. Additional laboratory or field rules may be given to the student and
must be followed.
7) Incompletes. Will be given only in special circumstances. See Bulletin for guidelines.
8) All students must read the current edition of 鈥淗andbook for Undergraduate Student
Research鈥 available from their Faculty Supervisor or from the Dept. Biol. Env. Sci.,
prior to beginning the course.
9) Cheating or professional misconduct: Will result in student dismissal from the
class and possible University disciplinary action.
10) This syllabus is subject to change without notice. Students will be informed
of any changes at the earliest possible date.
APPENDIX III
Sample Work Plan For BIO 4491, 4492, 4493, and 4494 (required for all student research projects, including those not enrolled for credit)
Work Plan/Agreement Fall 2015
Student: John Smith
Topic: Morphological analysis of the trematode parasite Alloglossidium.
Supervisor: Dr. Stephen Landers
Dr. Landers will act as Faculty Supervisor on this project. He will provide laboratory space and instruction for this project and will oversee the research.
Objectives: (1) To provide the student with research experience and training in data collection and presentation (2) to provide the student will experience in conducting literature search, and (3) to teach the student how to write a scientific abstract.
Nature of the problem: The freshwater grass shrimp, Palaemonetes kadiakensis, harbors the renal parasite Alloglossidium renale. It has been rarely reported and a new analysis of its prevalence and pathological effects will be a valuable scientific contribution. No data on the pathology of this infection is available and this host/parasite relationship will be investigated through histochemical staining of paraffin sections.
Work Plan:
Part 1 (Fall 2015) 鈥 Review of the literature of Alloglossidium infections. Dr. Landers will collect
the shrimp locally. John Smith will fix and stain trematodes collected from shrimp,
and make paraffin sections of tissue. Material collected prior to Fall 2015 will be
available for analysis also. Data from whole mount stained worms and sectioned worms
will be used to study species characteristics and pathological effects on the host.
Part 2 (Spring 2016) 鈥 Attend the Spring 2016 ASB meeting and present research. The presentation can be either a powerpoint talk or a poster presentation, as approved by Dr. Landers. Costs for the meeting will be the responsibility of the student (travel to the meeting may be provided by TU). The student should budget for hotel and food for 4 days in addition to registration for the meeting. Student registration was $XX last year and student membership to ASB was $XX.
Work Effort: The student researcher agrees to a weekly effort of 3 hrs/week. Holidays and final exam periods will not be counted.
The parties involved agree to the Work Plan outlined above as indicated by the signatures below. Additionally, the student certifies that he/she has received and will follow the rules outlined in the current edition of the Handbook for Undergraduate Student Research.
John Smith________________________________________ Date ______________
Stephen Landers, Ph.D. _________________________________Date _____________
APPENDIX IV
Checklist for supervisors of undergraduate research.
1) Checklist for UG Projects not involving GIS/GIR:
鈻 Work plan/work agreement signed by student and Faculty Supervisor.
鈻 Student receives UG research handbook
鈻 Obtain appropriate permissions, collecting licenses, and Non-human Subjects Review
Committee approval.
鈻 Report all presentations, submitted and published abstracts, papers, and other publications
to the Department.
2) Checklist for GIS/GIR Projects:
鈻 Student receives UG research handbook
鈻 Obtain appropriate permissions, collecting licenses, and Non-human Subjects Review
Committee approval.
鈻 Application to enroll in GIS/GIR 鈥 2 weeks prior to start of term
鈻 Create GIS/GIR course section(s)
鈻 Syllabus given to student and Department at beginning of semester. Follow all TU
course rules (attendance grades, final grades)
鈻 Hand in a final report, presentation, datasheet or research achievement to the Department.
鈻 Report all presentations, submitted and published abstracts, papers, and other publications
to the Department.
Note: To facilitate record keeping, all presentations and publications must be submitted to the Department for inclusion in the Department dataset.