Faculty-Mentored Research Courses (V9R)

Faculty-mentored research can begin as early as your first year. Whenever you choose to start, it all begins with meeting a faculty member to discuss your interests. From there, you'll determine your research project, create a contract, and register for a research course.

Expectations and Opportunities in Undergraduate Research

Faculty Mentor Expectations
Each faculty mentor will have specific expectations for your time and contributions. Be sure to ask questions and include these details in your contract.

Progress Tracking
Throughout the semester, you will be asked to submit your progress through a few Canvas assignments. This helps ensure you stay on track and meet your research goals.

Advancement and Recognition
Students who continue and advance in their projects may have the opportunity to present their work at local or national meetings. You might even co-author a scientific article!

Future Benefits
Remember, research experiences are invaluable. They help prepare you for fellowships, awards, and future careers.

Step 1: Finding a Research Position

• Do your homework: Use the Biology Research Faculty list to explore the types of research that are happening in the department. 
  • Begin by reading recent articles or posters published by the lab group. 
  • You may also meet with current lab members or attend an on-campus research symposium to learn more. 
  • Join BURST to get involved in campus research activities.
• Appointment: Make an appointment to discuss your interest in research.
• Preparation: Be ready to explain why you would be a valuable addition to the lab team.

Step 2: Determine the Research Plans and Complete a Contract

• Initial Meeting: Meet with a research mentor to discuss available opportunities and determine the appropriate V9R course and the number of semester hours.
• Contract Completion: Faculty members will assist students in completing a contract, describing the project, V9R course, and credit hours. 
• Course Sections: Each faculty member has their own V9R section and registration requires a permit. 
  • For the most part, you will register for the V9R course (1V9R, 2V9R, 3V9R, or 4V9R) based on your classification, but there is also a component based on the type of research activity.
  • BIO 1V9R: A course that may involve shadowing upper-level research students, lab training or orientation,  reading scientific literature, or other entry level activities. 
  • BIO 2V9R: A continuation of 1V9Rs for 1st and 2nd year students.
  • BIO 3V9R:  A project involving new and novel research in which the student has input in experimental design and procedure.
  • BIO 4V9R:  The continuation of the 3V9R project in which the student will formally present or publish their work. 
• Credit Hours: Working with your faculty mentor, determine the correct number of credit hours.
  • 0 hour credit is used in the summer, if students are participating in a summer internship, for example, or if the student is being paid for research, or if the student will not be expected to participate in research but is attending lab meetings or other minimal involvement.
  • 1 hour credit is earned for a minimum of 3-6 hours per week of research activity. This may vary between weeks.  Each semester hour credit should be associated with around 45-90 hours per semester.
  • It is recommended that students register for 1 credit hour per semester. 
  • Three hours of BIO 3V9R may be applied toward the BIO major.
  • An additional 3 credit hours may count as general upper level electives.
  • Students must complete 3 credit hours of 3V9R before enrolling in 4V9R. 
  • Students may also earn 3 semester hours of 4V9R. 

Step 3: Registration Process

• Application and Contract Form: In order to enroll in one of these research courses, a student completes an Application and Contract and has their faculty mentor sign the document.  The contract is e-mailed to elizabeth_d_pitts@baylor.edu and joshua_j_aguilar@baylor.edu. 
  • This application will be available through your research mentor.
• Permit Entry: The Biology Office will enter the appropriate overrides and will notify the student that they may enroll in the course.

• Course Addition: Once the permit is entered, the student should register for the course and the correct number of credit hours.

   

For further information about undergraduate research and V9R course information, please see the Undergraduate Research page on the Office of Engaged Learning webpage.