Independent Study & the Honors Program

Biology 95, 96, and 97 are independent research courses taken by juniors and seniors majoring in Biological Sciences under the direction of the Biology Faculty. Faculty members in other departments at Dartmouth or the Geisel School of Medicine may supervise the research, but a co-advisor in the Biology Department is also required.

Biology 95 or 97 may count as one of the unspecified courses within any major, but you must apply and be accepted before you enroll. Biology 95 should be taken by students desiring an independent research experience, and may usually be taken only once for credit in a student's career. Students who perform exceptionally well in Biology 95, and want to continue their research without entering the honors program may be invited to take Biology 96. If you desire a research experience and also wish to enter the Honors program (below), then apply for Biology 97.

Students receiving credit for undergraduate research must have given evidence of their ability to conduct independent study, as judged by a review of their application by the members of the Undergraduate Committee. Students in Biology 97 must have a 3.0 grade point average in all of their Biology courses (including prerequisites); students in Biology 95 or 96 must have a 2.67 grade point average in Biology (including prerequisites).

Click here to download Information and Application form for Bio 95, 96 and 97. Please follow all instructions carefully.

Note that the application form must be submitted to the Undergraduate Committee on the following time schedules. Late applications are rarely accepted and then only under extraordinary circumstances certified in writing by the research advisor.

• Bio 95 - at least one month before the beginning of the term in which you wish to take the course
• Bio 96 - at least one month before the beginning of the term in which you wish to take the course
• Bio 97 - at least one month before the beginning of the term in which you wish to take the course

A student should meet with his or her faculty research advisor(s) and discuss the proposed research well in advance of the term in which Biology 95, 96, or 97 is to be taken for credit. A draft of the research proposal should be discussed with the advisor(s) before filing the application form, since the description of the proposed research project and budget must be approved by the advisor(s) before the application can be considered by the Undergraduate Committee.

After an application for Bio 95, 96, or 97 is approved, the Undergraduate Committee will grant instructor permission to register for the course using the Banner system. You will receive an automated email instructing you to register for the course.

Tips for finding a research advisor:

• Peruse Dartmouth faculty web pages to find areas of research that may interest you.  Remember that your choices are not limited to research labs in the Biology department, however, the lab must be at Dartmouth. 
• Talk with students you may know who have experience working in labs at Dartmouth.  Ask about their experiences and recommendations.
• Contact the faculty member whose research interests you by email.  You will need to explain that you are interested in a research for credit program.  Be sure to include any previous lab experience and courses you have completed.  

If you have any questions about the programs or the application process, please contact Professor C. Robertson McClung.