Research with Faculty

SLSS students across all majors are encouraged to explore faculty-mentored research, develop independent projects, and contribute to discoveries that span lab, field, and data-driven environments. 

How to Find Opportunities

Faculty may advertise research openings through Handshake, the Federal Work-Study program, the Student Opportunity Center, department emails, or on social media. However, most opportunities are found through direct outreach, often referred to as "cold calling", where students email faculty members expressing interest in joining a research group. 

Identify Your Area of Interest

Think about the topics that excite you most. Research opportunities are available across the SLSS programs in areas such as:

• Molecular and cellular biology
• Ecology and environmental science
• Evolution and systematics
• Sustainability and environmental policy
• Biological data science and computational genomics
• Public health, pharmacology, or medical research (typically on the MCV Campus)

Many students may choose to step outside the Monroe Park campus and reach out to professors on the MCV campus for opportunities in biomedical research. The School of Medicine hosts eight basic science departments, with faculty eager to engage and teach undergraduates:

1. Anatomy and Neurobiology
2. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
3. Biostatistics
4. Health Behavior and Policy
5. Human and Molecular Genetics
6. Microbiology and Immunology
7. Pharmacology and Toxicology
8. Physiology and Biophysics

In addition, VCU's schools of dentistry, pharmacy and nursing, as well as the Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, are all open to students working in their labs.

Connect with Faculty

Pick about five to 10 faculty members whose research interests you.

Send a polite email to each faculty member requesting an appointment to discuss the possibility of working in their lab. Remember, researchers typically require a minimum of 10 hours of your time, usually between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. Be clear about your availability.

If the faculty member can take you into their group and it feels like you would be a good match, they may offer you a position. This faculty member will then become your faculty research adviser and will help you design a research project.

Register for Credit

After choosing your research adviser, think about whether you would like to register for academic credit. Students can use up to six credits of research towards their Biology degree. Research can also be used for up to two lab experiences (if taken multiple times or multiple semester experience).

Consider the following course options:

Biology

• BIOZ/L395 Directed Study is a two-credit pass/fail class where the expectations are very low. No real data is needed, and the course is usually used by younger students, or those about to graduate who need one extra lab.
• BIOL492 Independent Study is a one-to-four credit, A-F single-semester class where students are expected to put together a final report. This is the most popular option and enrolls 30-40 students per semester. Two credits of BIOL492 counts as a lab requirement. BIOL492 also can count for the biology capstone requirement if a student meets prerequisites for BIOL 477. Up to six credits of BIOL492 can be used towards your biology major.
• BIOL495 Research and Thesis is a year-long class where students write a thesis, poster and oral. Typically students only join this class if they have been working in the lab prior to the semester beginning. This is the hardest option and best for those that are bound for graduate school and/or seeking Honors in Biology. Note: BIOL495 has pre-requisites of BIOL392 Introduction to Research and co-requisites of BIOL489 Communicating Research (fall) and BIOL490 Presenting Research (spring), and can only be joined in the fall.

Environmental Studies

• ENVS 492 Independent Study is a 1-3 credit hour for juniors and seniors who have faculty approval to conduct an independent study; may be repeated for up to 6 credits total. Students often explore applied environmental issues, sustainability, or field-based research. 

Bioinformatics

• BNFO 292 Independent Study, a 1-2 credit hour pass/fail option that offers an introductory literature-based exploration under faculty supervision. 
• BNFO 497 Research and Thesis is a 1-4 credit project-based course involving data collection, analysis, and a written thesis. Must be junior/senior standing. Repeatable up to 6 credits.