Undergraduate Research
Qualified students are encouraged to participate in undergraduate research projects. This option provides hands-on experience in research design, experimental techniques, instrumentation, data analysis, scientific writing and communication.
How to Get Involved in Undergraduate Research
By mutual agreement with a faculty member, the student undertakes a research project under the direction of the faculty member. Undergraduate research experience is particularly valuable for students who wish to find employment in a laboratory or attend graduate or professional school after receiving their bachelor's degree. For more information, see the list of faculty members and their general research interests.
The Biochemistry Department strongly encourages qualified* undergraduates to participate in undergraduate research. Biochemistry majors do undergraduate research with faculty members in biochemistry, chemistry, biological sciences, entomology, the plant science departments, and other units on campus. To enroll in undergraduate research, students should follow these steps:
- Talk with a faculty member whose research area is of interest to you.
- If the faculty member consents to serve as a research mentor, you and the faculty member should agree upon an appropriate number of undergraduate research credit hours and grade options (A/F or P/F).
- Fill out the appropriate form in consultation with your faculty mentor and obtain all of the required signatures. Forms are available for both students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and students in the College of Science.
- After the add period (end of the first week of classes) you will not be able to register for research.
*Minimum GPA of 2.0. To register as P/F, a student must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours at Virginia Tech and have a GPA of 2.0 or better.
Communicating your Research
Along with conducting undergraduate research, we also challenge our students to communicate their findings with both the scientific community and the general public. There are various opportunities on campus to display your research, including our annual biochemistry research showcase EngelPalooza.