Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CUREs)

CUREs

Unfortunately, there are often more students looking for independent research positions than faculty can support. To provide more opportunities for students to gain research experience the department has a variety of Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs). Students enrolled in these courses conduct inquiry-based research projects during class and have an opportunity to present their research at the end of the semester. If you are interested in participating in a CURE you should register for one of the following courses.

  • BIOL 3200 Guided Research Experience | Offered Fall and Spring
  • BIOL 3515 Advanced Genetics Lab | Offered Fall and Spring
  • BIOL 4300 Bioinformatics and Genome Analysis | Offered Fall Odd
  • BOT 2050 Field Botany | Offered 
  • BOT 2100 Flora of Utah | Offered
  • BOT/MICR 3500 Mycology | Offered Fall and Spring
  • BOT 4200 Plant Systematics | Offered Spring Even
  • MICR 3150 Microbial Ecology | Offered Fall Odd
  • MICR 3650 Microbial Genetics | Offered Spring
  • MICR 4300 Pathogenic Microbiology | Offered Fall Odd
  • MICR 4505 Applied Virological Methods | Offered Fall Odd
  • SCIE 4200: Measurement and Analysis for Science Teachers | Offered every spring

Testimonials

  • “If you're interested in designing and conducting your own research project but don't know where to start, BIOL3200 is the perfect place! This is a course-based undergraduate research class that allows you to design and conduct your own research project. For example, if you've ever wondered if Listerine truly kills 99% of bacteria as advertised, this course gives you the chance to put it to the test! Last year, my group and I tested the effectiveness of Listerine against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. Through the process, Dr. Brooks was there every step of the way, teaching, guiding, and helping us think critically. This course not only introduces you to the inner workings of research labs but also prepares you for future research opportunities. I would highly recommend taking this class!” - BIOL 3200 Student
  • “As a student applying to dental school, there are many different aspects to the application. To be a competitive applicant you need to stand out and be different from the thousands of other applicants. One way to help standout is to get involved with research. Guided research was the perfect class to be able to get my feet wet in research. I had no idea what research entailed, but the class was able to give the overview I needed. You get hands on experience with the whole process. It is amazing!” – BIOL 3200 Student
  • "This class was a wonderful way to get more familiar with common tools used in a microbiology lab. It also provided an experience of working together as a group to solve problems and test a hypothesis. It was a great experience, and I would recommend the class to anyone who wants to learn more about microbiology research." - BIOL 3200 Student