Undergraduates have the option to work in the lab for course credit from the Psychology and Biology
Departments
Psychology:
Research Credit: PSCH 396, 397 or 399
It is highly recommended that students who work in the lab for course credit take 396, 397, and 399 in
order. 396 and 397 are taken in preparation for a final paper in 399.
396: Introduction to the lab
397: Begin to focus on independent project, creation of concept for research and literature review.
399: Final thesis including: a review of literature, methodology, presentation of results, discussion
(interpretation of findings, and implications)
Note: Students are limited to 8 credits maximum for research in PSCH 396, 397, and 399 combined
396 Directed Research
1 TO 3 hours. Participation in ongoing research in psychology under the direction of a faculty member. A
final report describing the research and its theory is required. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only.
May be repeated. Students may register in more than one section per term. A combined maximum of 8
hours of credit in PSCH 396, PSCH 397, and PSCH 399 may be applied toward the degree. Prerequisite(s):
PSCH 242 and consent of the instructor.
397 Readings in Psychology
1 TO 3 hours. Bibliographic research on a special topic under the direction of a faculty member. Paper is
required for course credit. May be repeated. Students may register in more than one section per term. A
combined maximum of 8 hours of credit in PSCH 396, PSCH 397, and PSCH 399 may be applied toward
the degree. Prerequisite(s): PSCH 343, a 3.00 grade point average, and consent of the instructor.
399 Independent Research (see High Departmental Distinction for more Information)
1 TO 4 hours. Individual research on a special topic under the direction of a faculty member. A paper is
required for course credit. May be repeated. Students may register in more than one section per term. A
combined maximum of 8 hours of credit in PSCH 396, PSCH 397, and PSCH 399 may be applied toward
the degree. Prerequisite(s) : PSCH 343; one from PSCH 313, PSCH 321, PSCH 351, PSCH 353, PSCH 361,
PSCH 363; a 3.00 grade point average; membership in one of the departmental distinction programs;
consent of the instructor and the director of undergraduate studies. (Can be taken by students who are
not doing high distinction with instructor's permission.) Students must complete an application in order
to be considered for credit in PSCH 399
Biology:
399 Independent Research
2 hours. Student must work at least 10 hours per week in the laboratory (20 hours per week during the
summer semester). There must be a laboratory experiment that tests your hypothesis.
Students must submit a research paper at the end of the semester that is similar in style and format to
what you might read in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. The paper will be reviewed by the research
supervisor and the department.No more than 5 hours of credit from BIOS 391 and BIOS 399 courses can
be used as credit towards the Biological Sciences major. Credit will not be given for previously
conducted research. The research must be done concurrent to enrollment in BIOS 399 for students to
earn credit. Prerequisites: Minimum of 2.00/4.00 grade point average (GPA) in Biological Sciences
courses and consent of the instructor and department. Grading: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grades
only. BIOS 399 will not affect your GPA.
Signing Up:
Print a BIOS 399 application and deliver it to 3268 SES or to a Biological Sciences advisor, preferably
before the start of the semester for which you would like to register. The advisor will give you approval
in the system, but you will be responsible for enrolling in the course.