Undergraduate Research
SciFest is a poster session that provides an opportunity for summer undergraduate researchers to display and discuss their research.
An effective method for expanding your undergraduate biology education is to gain valuable lab experience. There are several ways to gain this experience. Lab experience is part of the Senior Honors program. There are summer research opportunities at Brandeis. Biology labs often offer either paid or volunteer opportunities during the academic year.
Summer Research at Brandeis
Scientific research does not stop at Brandeis University even after the academic year concludes. Every summer we have 100-120 undergraduates on campus doing research, including students from Brandeis and from other institutions.
Funding support for Brandeis undergraduates comes from a variety of programs including our alumni-sponsored Division of Science Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships.
The capstone event for undergraduates is Summer SciFest, a poster session where students can present the results of their research to peers, grad students, and faculty. It is typically held in early August.
Senior Honors
Completing a senior research project is another option for an undergraduate biology senior interested in undergraduate research. The senior must submit a petition at the beginning of the fall semester. If this petition is approved, the senior must complete a senior research project; and then submit and defend a thesis in late spring.
Departmental Honors
BA or BS students who have joined a research lab before their senior year may be eligible for departmental honors if they meet all University requirements for honors, successfully complete the senior research courses BIOL 99a (or BIOL 93) and BIOL 99b, and successfully defend their senior thesis.
Finding Opportunities
Interested in lab research? The undergraduate program at Brandeis offers opportunities to motivated neuroscience undergraduates to gain research lab experience while working in paid or unpaid positions. In normal circumstances, students either should be paid or should receive academic credit for independent research, but in exceptional circumstances, students may petition to be allowed to volunteer outside of the employment and course structures for a period of up to 4 months. Please review the guidelines for undergraduate research participation for more information.
Additionally, the Undergraduate Research and Creative Collaborations Office can provide assistance in finding topics, mentors, and funding for research or creative projects for undergraduates at Brandeis.