Capstone Experience in Biological Sciences                                                                                        

RESEARCH OPTION: MOLECULAR GENETICS OF HYPERTHERMOPHILES

This option for the Capstone Experience in Biological Sciences engages students in the process of basic research on the molecular aspects of life in extreme environments. This option has limited enrollment and requires three quarters to complete, as follows.

1^st Quarter: Student enrolls for 3 cr of undergraduate research and receives a letter grade.

2^nd Quarter: Student enrolls for 2 or 3 cr of undergraduate research and receives a grade of IP.

3^rd Quarter: The student enrolls for 3 or 2 cr of undergraduate research (for a total of at least 8 cr) and 1 cr of the Capstone Experience. The student compiles and analyzes his or her data and makes a brief seminar presentation to the Department (normally as part of the annual Undergraduate Research series held each Spring Quarter).

Advantages of this option:

Students conduct hypothesis-driven research with personal instruction from an experienced faculty member.  Each student works on his or her own project in a small-team setting and learns basic techniques of microbiology and molecular biology, some of which may be relevant to graduate school, medical research, or similar career directions.  The student’s work may become part of a co-authored publication or meeting presentation.  The first quarter of research can typically be used to fulfill other graduation requirements, such as an elective in Area I (Cell/Molec/Genetics), even if the student does not go on to complete the Capstone requirement. Undergraduate research can also be used to fulfill the requirements for graduating with Departmental Honors.

Note that this option demands more ability, time, and effort from the student than most other capstone options.  One research credit equals 30 hours of laboratory work over the quarter; thus, this Capstone Experience requires at least 240 hours of work.  The research can be difficult and unpredictable; some projects will not work out, despite the student’s best efforts.  Because this capstone option demands considerable input from the faculty member, enrollment is strictly limited.  A student who does not finish the entire sequence and present his or her results will not receive capstone credit under this option.  A co-authored presentation or publication incorporating the student’s work cannot be guaranteed, and is in any event normally not finalized until one or two years after the work is completed.

Registering:

Enrollment is by permission of instructor only.  Students expecting to graduate in June need to discuss their interest and course background with Dr. Grogan before summer. 

Contact:

Dennis Grogan (732 Rieveschl, 556-9748, "grogandw@email.uc.edu")