DEPARTMENT of BIOLOGY

Undergraduate Research Scholars

Faculty-Mentored Research

Biology majors at Winthrop University have exceptional opportunities to participate in independent research projects under the guidance of faculty mentors. Research is conducted in state-of-the-art laboratories and field study sites, allowing students to explore cutting-edge topics in the biological sciences.

Seminar Presentations & Lab Coat Ceremony

Students present their research findings in Biology 491 and 492 seminar courses, where they share their work with peers and faculty. As a mark of achievement, students are honored with a Lab Coat Ceremony, receiving a lab coat from their faculty mentor in recognition of their scholarly contributions. Research presentations may also be shared at local, regional, and national scientific meetings, as well as through sponsored organizations across the region.

Faculty Excellence & Research Initiatives

Biology majors have excellent opportunities to work with faculty on cutting edge biological research, and they present their work at local, regional, and national scientific meetings. Students are also encouraged to present their work at the department seminar series where they have an Awarding of Lab Coats Ceremony from their faculty mentors. Several faculty members have obtained significant extramural funding in recent years and six faculty are participating in the INBRE III summer undergraduate research experiences initiative.

First-Year Research Opportunities

Incoming freshmen can engage in research early through participation in the SEA-PHAGES/SEA-GENES project, a national initiative that introduces students to genomics and microbiology through authentic research experiences.

    Biology students at Winthrop University have the opportunity to earn academic credit for participating in faculty-mentored research. These experiences allow students to explore scientific inquiry in depth and contribute to ongoing research projects. Available research courses are:

      Students engage in scholarly research under the supervision of a faculty member.

      • Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
      • Lab Fee: $35
      • Prerequisites: BIOL 204, 205, 206, 300; CHEM 106, 108
      • Note: A grade of C or better in BIOL 300 is required to enroll in Biology courses numbered above 300 (except BIOL 303, 304, 307, 308, 323, 461, and 463)
      • Approval Required: Department Chair

      Continued scholarly research with a faculty mentor.

      • Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
      • Lab Fee: $35
      • Prerequisites: BIOL 204, 205, 206, 300, 450H or 471; CHEM 106, 108
      • Note: Same enrollment conditions as BIOL 471
      • Approval Required: Department Chair

      In-depth independent inquiry into a selected biological subject.

      • Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
      • Prerequisites: BIOL 203, 204, 205, 206, 300 (all with a C or better); CHEM 106, 108

Research Facilities

The department has excellent research facilities including laboratories in the Dalton Hall building and at the Recreation and Research Complex.