Research for Academic Credit

The School of Biological Sciences offers a number of courses in which students can earn academic credit for conducting independent research with a faculty or industry mentor. An application is required for each quarter of intended participation. Submission of an application does not guarantee approval for academic credit.

Benefits

• Gain hands-on lab experience
• Study with outstanding faculty and/or industry professionals
• Practical application of classroom concepts
• Meet new people who share your interests
• Explore a new field of study or enhance your current one
• Participate in the design of a project
• Acquire data analysis experience
• Practice essential lab techniques
• Get a head start in your career or graduate study
• Earn credit towards your biology major
  • Elective units may include one quarter of either BISP 193 or BISP 196/197/199.
  • One quarter of BISP 196/197/199 may be applied to a biology lab requirement (select majors).
  • Only one quarter of BISP 196/197/199 may apply to biology major requirements.
• Opportunity to present your research at the School Research Showcase

Courses

The academic credit research based courses offered by the School of Biological Sciences are listed below. For additional information regarding the application process and associated deadlines, reference the specific course links below.

Lower-Division Courses (students must have completed at least 30 units of undergraduate study at UCSD prior to the quarter of participation)

• BILD 99: Independent Research (2 or 4 units)

Upper-Division Courses (students must have completed a minimum of 90 units (including units successfully transferred to UCSD, i.e. AP, transfer) prior to the quarter of participation)

• BISP 193: Biology Education Research (2 or 4 units)
• BISP 196: Honors Thesis in Biology (4 units)
• BISP 197: Biology Research Internship Program (2 or 4 units)
• BISP 199: Individual Research for Undergraduates (2 or 4 units)

Important Deadlines & Application Process

• Applicants should review all criteria (including instructor eligibility) for enrollment in the applicable Special Studies course and ensure that the submitted application represents a complete and accurate submission.
• Applications will be reviewed in the order received and evaluated based on the catalog course description for the Special Studies course for which the application was submitted. If the application is denied, the student has the opportunity to re-submit before the Friday, Week 2 deadline. It is the student’s responsibility to plan ahead and ensure there is enough time for all required steps, including required approvals by the Friday, Week 2 deadline.
• It is the applicants' responsibility to work with the proposed instructor to ensure that both the student and instructor portions of the application are submitted early enough to allow time for departmental, college (if applicable), and Registrar’s approvals by the campus add deadline, which is Friday of Week 2. Extensions or exceptions to the Friday, Week 2 deadline will not be granted under any circumstances, including unavailability of the proposed instructor at the time the application is due. Students are expected to plan accordingly and communicate with their instructor in advance to ensure timely submission and review.