Each semester, a select few “CURE” courses are offered: these are course-based research laboratory classes that often allow undergraduate students experience authentic research for the first time. Topics vary each semester – some current CURE classes include Wild Microbial Biotechnology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Bioinnovation Laboratory, and Species Discovery & Biodiversity. I am currently enrolled in Dr. Anne Estes’ course, Wild Microbial Biotechnology. In this course, I’ve been able to design and work on my own research project, in which I’ve isolated microbes from a soil sample and looked for bacteria that produce antibiotics, degrade cellulose/textile dyes, etc.. This experience has taught me a lot about the research process and fueled my interest in performing authentic research. Furthermore, students can work in faculty member’s research labs if invited where they can work on larger scale projects. This “course” (BIOL 491) often satisfies major electives as well.
