Research is an integral component of the Department of Biology. All faculty members are active scholars in a wide variety of biological disciplines, regularly presenting their work at professional conferences and publishing their findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Students are also active participants in research, often in a collaborative manner with a faculty member, leading to co-authorship on presentations and publications.

Opportunities For Research

There are many opportunities for Denison biology students to do research, enabling students to expand their training as biologists outside of the classroom. Ranging from short-term research assistantships to long-term research projects, students can become active contributors to research programs both on and off campus. As a result of their efforts, many students attend professional research conferences to present their work, and others become co-authors on research publications. The primary ways in which students can become involved in research are described below.

Directed/Independent Study

Students may pursue a short-term research project for credit during the academic year (1-4 credits), under the advising of a specific faculty member. The work can either be done as part of the faculty member’s research program (“directed”), or can be a student-designed investigation (“independent”). Students should discuss possible study opportunities with the faculty member of interest well in advance of the registration period for the semester in which the study will be undertaken.

Summer On-Campus Research

Many Denison students work with a faculty member during the summer as part of the faculty member’s research program (see “Faculty Research Programs” below for descriptions). While open to all students, such research experiences are often used to initiate research that will develop into a senior research project. Summer students are typically provided funding for research costs, personal stipends, and housing expenses (visit the Lisska Center for Scholarly Engagement page on MyDenison for details). Students interested in pursuing summer research opportunities are encouraged to contact faculty early in the preceding fall semester to discuss such opportunities.

Summer Off-Campus Research

Many off-campus programs exist at various universities, field stations, biotech companies, etc. Some programs may provide stipends and funding. If funding is not available, students may apply for funding through a Battelle Science Internships & Research Award.

Senior Research

Students may pursue a long-term research project for academic credit during their senior year, under the guidance of a specific faculty member. Students may become collaborative researchers in an ongoing faculty research endeavor, or students may design their own projects (pending availability of an appropriate faculty advisor). Most students register for 4 credit hours each semester of their senior year, which will count as a single upper-level biology elective course toward the major. Students are encouraged to discuss research opportunities well in advance of their senior year with potential faculty advisors.