Earning undergraduate research credit

Students planning on participating in on- or off-campus research may obtain the credits towards their degree. 135 hours is the minimum number of hours required to receive three credits. Do not be surprised if you have to work more than the required hours (within reason) to accomplish your goals. Typically, a written and/or oral presentation will be part of the goals of the internship.

  • One credit = 45 hours of unpaid work. (average of 3 hours a week over a fifteen-week semester)
  • Two credits = 90 hours of unpaid work (average of 6 hours a week over a fifteen-week semester)
  • Three credits = 135 hours of unpaid work (average of 9 hours a week over a fifteen-week semester)

Listed below are the types of research credits available.

BIOL 298

  • Pre-requisite: freshmen and sophomores only
  • Credit load: 1-3 credits per semester for a total of 8 credits

This course is designed for students who have not yet taken BIOL 192 (General Biology lab) or equivalent. This type of study assumes that most of the intern's duties will be closely supervised and may be very repetitive in nature. The intern will be required to turn in a midterm and final evaluation and a mini report at the end of the semester.

BIOL 491

  • Pre-requisite: sophomores and up, Biology 192 or equivalent required
  • Credit load: 1-3 credits per semester for a total of 8 credits

This course assumes that the student will be working under the close supervision of a faculty member, technician, graduate student or post-doc. The intern is usually working on another person's project. The intern will turn in a midterm and final evaluation each semester, as well as a final "half" scientific paper the first semester (see below for more info). Interns retaking the course can turn in a full scientific paper at the end of the second semester. 

BIOL 492

  • Pre-requisite: junior and seniors only, Biology 192 or equivalent required
  • Credit load: 1-3 credits per semester for one semester

This course is for interns who are either working on original research and have their own project OR are given a large amount of autonomy while working on someone else's project. The intern will be required to turn in a midterm and final evaluation each semester. A "half" scientific paper is required in the first semester. If the student chooses to remain on the project a second semester, a full scientific paper can be completed at the end of the second semester.

BIOL 496/497

  • Pre-requisite: Seniors only, acceptance into the Biology Degree with Distinction Program required

Students are encouraged to apply for the Biology Degree with Distinction program at the end of their sophomore year and must submit a senior thesis proposal no later than the end of their junior year. In this course, the student will write a thesis and present a research seminar to Department of Biology faculty, students and guests during the Biology Honors Day. Learn more about this course and the Biology with Distinction classification by visiting the Biology with Distinction page.

Biology with Distinction

Steps to get started

Once you have found a research opportunity, sit down with your research supervisor to discuss what your goals will be for the semester. Once determined, you much complete a research agreement that is to be turned into the Department of Biology.

Note: If you are participating in paid research, research off-campus or research with another department, meet with your advisor or the Biology Independent Study Coordinator, Dr. Josh Stevenson, to discuss the requirements for Biology internship credits and what type of projects and writing assignments will be acceptable for academic credit.

Research agreement

You must turn in a research agreement by the start of the semester in which you are seeking internship credits to the Department of Biology (FA 147). You may create your own agreement or pick up a copy of the research agreement at the Department of Biology (FA 147).  The agreement should include the following:

  • Your name
  • the course you wish to receive credit for (see above)
  • the semester in which you wish to receive credit
  • the number of credits you are pursuing
  • A brief description of the project to be completed, including laboratory and/or field research methodology and experimental design, how the final grade will be determined, dates materials are due, and how many hours of unpaid work the project will require
  • Your signature, date and contact information
  • Your research supervisors signature, date and contact information

Once turned in to the Department of Biology office (FA 147), the office staff person will give you the call number needed to sign up for the credits. Use this call number to sign up for the appropriate course and number of credits on MyNEVADA. Biology students completing an internship during the summer may have to wait until the fall semester to obtain credit. Talk to the Biology Department about this issue if you are a graduating senior.

Recommended evaluations and writing assignments

Students participated in research for academic credit may be required to complete one or more of the following evaluations and writing assignments

Still have questions?

Biology undergraduate research independent study coordinator:
Dr. Josh Stevens, jstevens@unr.edu

If you are conducting an independent study project with a faculty member who is in a different department or an off-campus internship, special arrangements must be made with Dr. Josh Stevenson, jstevenson@unr.edu.  If you or your independent study supervisor has any questions, please contact the Biology Office at (775) 784-6188 to receive more information.