Undergraduate Research

Summer Research

Thanks to everyone who applied to do research at Gonzaga this summer.
GSRP research positions will be announced beginning March 1. 

If you have any further questions, please contact Christy Watson (HU241)
or Dr. Howard Glass (HU119).

Spokane Intercollegiate Research Conference

Do you have research to present?  Do you not want to travel to do it? 
Then the Spokane Intercollegiate Research Conference (SIRC) is right for you!

This year, SIRC is held on the Gonzaga campus on Saturday, April 21.
Deadline for submitting abstracts is Friday, Feb. 17.

Click here for a conference information and a link to the abstract submission form.

Spring Research

Congratulations to everyone who will be doing research during spring semester!

Here are some important dates to remember:

Welcome Pizza Lunch:  Tuesday, January 24th at noon in HU014
SIRC (Spokane Intercollegiate Research Conference):  April 21st
on the Gonzaga campus

For those of you receiving an HHMI stipend, or doing research for credit, your paperwork must be turned in to Christy Watson in HU241 by Monday, Feb. 6th.

Undergraduate Research Program Description

Students in Gonzaga's Biology and Chemistry and Biochemistry departments have the opportunity to enhance their college experience through independent research in a faculty mentor's laboratory. Gonzaga's HHMI supported programs in the sciences provide internships both over the summer and during the academic year for hands-on laboratory training.

We have a limited number of positions each semester, and sometimes it takes more than one semester to receive a position.  Fall semester applications are available the first week of classes and are due about one week later.  Spring semester applications are available in early November, and are due just after the Thanksgiving Break.  Applications for full-time summer positions are available in late January, and are due about two weeks later.  Decisions for summer are usually made just prior to spring break.  All application materials are submitted on-line to Dr. Howard Glass, and will be available from this site at the appropriate time.

Here are some suggestions to make you more competitive for the next round of awards:

1. Always go and talk to a prospective mentor prior to listing them on your application.  Faculty need to know you are genuinely enthusiastic about the research before they will agree to be your mentor.
2. Consider volunteering or working for credit this semester.  If you can show a faculty member what an asset you will be to their lab, you are much more competitive for a paid position when one becomes available.
3. Continue to take a wide variety of courses, and do well in them.  Show that you are a competent student who is able to take on the addition challenge of independent research.

Options for independent research

HHMI/GSRP supported assistantships

• Academic year assistantships come with a $750 stipend and are for one semester each.
  Students are expected to work an average of 5-6 hours per week during the semester.
  A student may receive up to two assistantships, and you must apply again to receive one for a second semester.
• Summer semester assistantships pay $10 per hour, with a maximum of 440 hours and a minimum of 320 hours.
  Students may work for a combination of credit and pay.
• Biology majors must enroll in the Research Option.

Grants to individual faculty members

• Some faculty have grants to support undergraduate research in their labs. 
• These positions do not have a time limit, and the hours per week and salary are decided on each individual case.
• If you are particularly interested in a faculty member's research, please contact them to see if this an option.

Research for credit

• Independent research may also be done for academic credits.  The type of research may be either in the lab, or a directed reading.
• Together the student and faculty fill out an application for individualized study (obtained from the registrar's office).
• Typically 1 credit is awarded for 5 hours of work per week.

Research Off-campus

• For a listing of just some of the research options off-campus, see Off-campus Opportunities
• Many deadlines are in Fall semester - don't put off your applications!

General Information

In the Biology department, the Research Option provides research-interested students additional advising and research experiences, as well as additional classes in mathematics and participation in local outreach programs.

In the Chemistry and Biochemistry department, the Senior Thesis provides a year-long independent research project for students during their senior year.

For more information on the many types of research being conducted in both departments, see the Faculty Research Interests page. Funding for research projects is provided by a number of sources, including Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), Gonzaga University Science Research Program (GSRP) and grants to individual faculty members. In addition, research can be done for academic credits.

See how our program has grown in "pizza equivalents"!

Important Paperwork

URAs must complete the following forms prior to starting lab work. Return these to Christy Watson in Hughes 241.

• URA Research Expectation Agreement
• HHMI Permission to Release Information
• Laboratory Safety Checklist

Other university forms of interest for student researchers:

• Download the Application for Individualized Study
  Hard copies of this form must be completed, and the carbon copies properly routed.
  They can be picked up from the Registrar's Office or from Dr. Staub.

• Biology majors only - complete the DECLARATION OF MAJOR and/or CHANGE OF ADVISOR form and return it to the Dean's office
• Download degree guides/worksheets for both the Biology and Chemistry/Biochemistry majors here.