University of South Carolina Aiken
Department of Biology and Geology
471 University Parkway
Aiken SC 29801-3713
803-641-3299
Term:
Fall
Spring
Year:
199
20
299
399
499
Student Research Proposal Cover Page (Bachelor of Science in Biology)
Type and submit 1 signed original and 3 legible photocopies.
Name of Applicant
SSN
Address
Phone
General Field of this Research Project.
Botany
Microbiology
Cell and Molecular Biology
Physiology
Ecology
Zoology
Genetics
Other, specify:
Check the single most appropriate field. (For administrative purposes only)
Project Title and Supervisor
Project Title
Project Supervisor
Research Funds
Does this proposal include a request for research funds?
Yes
No
If yes, complete Parts I and II. All applicants must complete the cover page and Part I.
If research funds are requested, provide the total amount:
Previous Funding
Have you previously received a Departmental Research Award?
Related to this project?
Semester Applied
Yes
Yes
No
No
Semester Granted
Students submitting a research proposal are expected, with the aid of a Biology faculty member, to develop experimental goals,
conduct experiments, and collect and analyze data. The purpose of this form is to allow the student to focus on the research
topic at hand and begin formulating a research plan. The outcome of the research project is a 10-minute oral presentation at
the end of the semester as part of the Senior Seminar and a research paper reporting your results (evaluated by your mentor).
Signatures
Student Signature
Date
Research Supervisor Signature
Date
Department of Biology and Geology Student Research Proposal
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PART I. Project Description. Part I must be completed by all applicants. Complete each of the following sections. Sections 1-4
should be one page in length. Each section in Part I will be scored on a five-point scale based on several criteria, including clarity,
completeness of thought, proper referencing, and grammar (maximum points for Part I is 20, five points each for Title, Introduction,
Objectives, Methods, and Literature Cited sections).
1. Project Title
2. Introduction. Provide 1-2 paragraphs that describe important background information pertinent to your proposal. This section
should provide context and justification for the question being investigated. All references must be cited appropriately using CSE
(Council of Science Editors) format and be included in the Literature Cited section, page 4. This section (Introduction) has a 200-word
minimum.
3. Experimental Objectives. State the experimental objectives or hypothesis to be tested.
4. Methods. Concisely state how you plan to accomplish the investigation.
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PART II. Students requesting departmental funding in excess of $40 must complete Part II. Departmental funds to support student
research are available but limited. First priority for funding are ABIO 499 research projects, then 399, etc. Availability of resources
and funds through the supervising research mentor will be considered as a factor in underwriting student proposals.
Student projects that require less than $40 may get reimbursement for receipts from “Petty Cash” through the Department of Biology
and Geology Lab Manager located in Science 106.
1. Budget. List each item, the vendor, and its estimated cost. Calculate and provide the total amount budgeted. Departmental funds are
intended for the purchase of consumable items. Exceptions will only be made in extraordinary cases and are expected to be fully
justified. Funds will not be provided for equipment or student salary. The maximum award will be $250. Research grants are made
for one semester only.
Item
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Item Description
Vendor
Catalog Number
Cost
Total
2. Budget justification. Describe how the requested items will be used to complete the research project.
3. Facilities and Equipment. List other departmental facilities and equipment required to complete this project.
Department of Biology and Geology Student Research Proposal
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Literature Cited. All references cited in Part I must be included here. All references must be in CSE format. Examples of CSE
formatting can be seen on the USCA Gregg Graniteville Library web site: http://library.usca.edu/index.php/Instruction/StyleGuides .
Department of Biology and Geology Student Research Proposal
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