Undergraduate Research in Biomedical Sciences (MIC 498)
MIC 498 is an exciting opportunity to earn credit toward your major while actively engaging in biomedical research. Working closely with a faculty research mentor, you will help shape your experience by deciding together on your time commitment, research activities, and project goals. Along the way, you’ll strengthen your communication skills through presentations and written work, culminating in a final report summarizing your accomplishments.
Students interested in enrolling in MIC 498 should first identify a research opportunity and share their resume with the faculty mentor or sponsoring agency. In some cases, students may also meet with their prospective mentor for an interview. Enrollment in MIC 498 requires approval from both the faculty mentor and the Biomedical Sciences Program Director. MIC 498 may be taken for 1–4 credits (with a commitment of 3 hours per week per credit), and students may repeat the course for credit.
Biomedical Sciences Degree Requirements
For Biomedical Sciences majors, approval to enroll in MIC 498 does not automatically mean that the course will satisfy degree requirements. Application of MIC 498 toward the Biomedical Sciences major requires separate approval from the Biomedical Sciences Program Director.
With that approval, a maximum of two enrollments in MIC 498 may be applied toward the Biomedical Sciences general elective requirement, provided that each enrollment is for at least 3 credits and completed in separate semesters. Each approved enrollment may satisfy one general elective requirement. Multiple MIC 498 enrollments completed during the same semester may not be used to satisfy more than one general elective requirement. Because Biomedical Sciences general electives are a minimum of 3 credits, enrollments of 1 or 2 credits do not satisfy the general elective requirement. MIC 498 may not be used to satisfy a depth elective requirement.
This course is designed to give you authentic research experience, meaningful mentorship, and a chance to explore your scientific interests in depth.
Jump to:
Before the Semester
- Find a research opportunity and make appropriate arrangements for the experience in consultations with the mentor.
- Submit a signed MIC 498 contract to the program director before the drop/add deadlines.
Throughout the Semester
- Meet the time requirement based on the number of credits.
- Keep a timesheet with specific dates and times worked, along with a running total for the semester.
- Meet with your mentor mid-semester to ensure you are on track.
End of the Semester
- Request that your site supervisor complete an evaluation form to determine your grade.
- Submit a final 2-3 page report to the Program Director by the last day of classes, along with the time sheet.
The best place to start looking for a research opportunity is the Center for Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities (CURCA) website. They have a database of all the active research that is taking place on campus.
The research mentor is the primary professional guiding the student’s research experience. Typically, a faculty member or research professional (e.g., MD, PhD, PA), the research mentor works closely with the student, providing direction, support, and oversight. The mentor defines the scope of the project, outlines expectations and responsibilities, and clarifies any limitations of the experience. In addition to supervising day-to-day activities, the mentor evaluates the student’s performance and assigns the final grade.
The Program Director is the faculty member who oversees force registration into the course once the contract is signed, reviews the time sheet and reflection paper, and sends and collects the evaluation from the site supervisor regarding assignment of a final grade.
The time sheet is a record of participation in the research. It should list the dates and time spent at the research site. Date each journal entry and indicate the number of hours spent on site. A note in the margin might read “9/1/25: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. (3 hours, 15 hours total).” This example refers to the 3 hours spent on site on 9/1/25 and shows a running total of 15 hours to date. Some mentors provide pre-formatted time sheets.
The final 2-3 page report provides students with an opportunity to reflect on their research. It should summarize how well the objectives that were established at the beginning were met by the actual experience. The final report can include references to specific learning experiences, successes and failures, new insights, positive and negative aspects of the research. It should be typed and double-spaced.
| Credits Earned | Total Time Commitment | Typical Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 45 hours | 3 hours/week for 15 weeks |
| 2 | 90 hours | 6 hours/week for 15 weeks |
| 3 | 135 hours | 9 hours/week for 15 weeks |
| 4 | 180 hours | 12 hours/week for 15 weeks |
The evaluation is designed to check on a student’s performance and used to help determine the grade.
The grade is based on the recommendation from the site supervisor. You will be given a grade of A-F.
Steps:
- Find a mentor and make arrangements for your research experience
- Download or print the Application below
- Complete the Application
- Request a signature from your research mentor
- Submit the application for MIC 498 approval
- If approved, you will be enrolled in MIC 498 and notified accordingly
Steps:
- Ask Supervisor to complete the Evaluation form and submit online. Don't wait until the last minute to do this!
- Write Final Report: The final 2-3 page report provides students with an opportunity to reflect on their research. It should summarize how well the objectives that were established at the beginning were met by the actual experience. The final report can include references to specific learning experiences, successes and failures, new insights, positive and negative aspects of the research. It should be typed and double-spaced.
- Submit Report by the last day of classes for the semester you are registered for.