Research Opportunities

APPLICATION FOR RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS

FOR UCCS BIOLOGY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Why do research?

Undergraduate research engages students in a very different way from traditional coursework. Research helps reinforce material learned during coursework, expand upon certain topics and gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge. Research ultimately fosters a deeper understanding of scientific inquiry and a greater appreciation for Biology.

Research hones students’ critical thinking skills, sharpens students’ understanding of primary research literature, trains students to perform practical and technical skills within their field, and also helps develop oral and writing communication skills. For exceptional students, a research internship can even culminate in a peer-reviewed publication in the field of Biology.

Research can help students prepare for graduate school or helps students decide upon a career path. After a 1+ year research internship, students often establish a strong relationship with a faculty mentor that can help guide them through their academic and professional careers. Moreover, research advisors can provide students with more thoughtful and impactful recommendation letters. Ultimately, a successful research internship helps make an undergraduate student more competitive for admission to graduate school and for prospective employment.

How do I choose a research mentor and project?

Please visit our faculty page on the Biology Department website to see the research areas our faculty are currently investigating. Contact the professor you are interested in working with to find out if he/she has any available research positions. Please note that research positions are competitive and most faculty have a selection process that involves specific application requirements and pre-requisites.

Can I get credit or can I be paid to do research?

Students can enroll in a Research Practicum with a faculty mentor to earn credit for research. There are also a few competitive research awards each year that can pay students for their work. Click on the following links to learn more:

http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/programs/Neuroscience/Program/Pages/brain.aspx

http://www.uccs.edu/~ura/

http://www.uccs.edu/las/awards.html

Honors Thesis

Exceptional research students in high academic standing should consider completing an Honors thesis. Students must choose their committee and enroll in the Honors thesis course in the Spring of their junior year.

Application Process for the Olesnicky Lab

-Supply Dr. Olesnicky with the following information:

    -       Unofficial transcripts (most, but not all, research students have a GPA above 3.5)

    -       A statement of purpose

            Why do you want to do research?

            Why does this faculty’s research interest you?

            What are your career goals?

    -       Contact information (email and phone number) for 2           references.

            Ideally these references should be professors with                whom you have taken a class.

Prerequisites for research internships

-A minimum of a 1 year commitment with 1 semester enrollment in Research Practicum

-1st semester is a trial period. Continuation beyond this is to the discretion of the advisor

-Laboratory Safety training must be completed and renewed annually

-Expect to put in an average of 8-12 hrs per week

-Present your findings to your mentor and fellow lab mates during lab meeting

-Present a poster at CSURF or Mountain Lion Research Day each year

-Meet with your advisor on a regular basis (to be determined by advisor)

-Students already participating in research elsewhere are not eligible to apply