BMB 490 and BMB 499 - Undergraduate Research Opportunities

The MSU Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology offers
two courses that give students practical research experience:

Students enrolled in BMB 490 and BMB 499 do independent research under the supervision of a faculty mentor.

The requirements for an independent research project for BMB 490 are negotiated with the faculty mentor.

The requirements for the BMB 499 senior thesis are as follows: 
A senior thesis is typically conducted over two semesters of 2 to 3 credits per semester. Students will conduct significant laboratory research (library research can be substituted on approval). The senior thesis is a capstone experience. Students will write a thesis based on their research. The thesis will include references to original literature in biochemistry, molecular biology, and related fields. The thesis should be at minimum 15 pages long (inclusive) and up to 25 pages long and include a significant survey of the field (2 pages minimum) based on original literature.    The thesis will be assessed by two professors (at least one from BMB); the student’s mentor and another person whom the student will choose at the beginning of the semester.  Upon review of the thesis by these two individuals, students will be required to submit a revised thesis based on their comments.  The student will also be required to give a presentation at a Lab Meeting, UURAF, or another similar type event.

 Students who take the library research option will be expected to synthesize new knowledge or to critically evaluate hypotheses using information from original literature. 

To arrange a BMB 490 or BMB 499 experience:

  1. Search the department website http://www.bch.msu.edu/faculty/faculty.html) to identify faculty with whom you would like to work.
  2. Contact the faculty member by email. You may wish to include a resume, a description of your past research and work experience, and a description of the type of project you would like to do.
  3. Arrange the details of your project and schedule with the faculty mentor.
  4. Obtain the Independent Study form from the BMB Undergraduate Office, 105 Biochemistry.
  5. Complete the form, including student and instructor signatures.
  6. Return the form to the Undergraduate Office. The office will process the override and actually enroll you into the course for the amount of credits designated on the form.

For more information, contact:
Mary Villarreal
Michigan State University
Biochemistry Department
105A Biochemistry Building
East Lansing, MI 48824-1319
(517) 353-8949

BMB Undergraduate Home Page