Design and analysis of biological and ecological research experiments. "Real world" studies used to discuss the identification of hypotheses, appropriate experimental design, and the application of statistical analyses including ANOVA, ANCOVA, correlation and regression, cluster analysis, classification and ordination techniques. Theoretical statistical concepts tailored to consider students' own thesis and dissertation research, allowing statistical problems to be addressed at various stages of the research process. Common computer packages used for analyses include Excel, JMP, Systat, and R.

This course is the required companion course to a student's individual capstone experience. It must be taken during the same semester as the individual experience, or in the fall immediately following a summer experience. This course will help connect a student's individual capstone experience to their broader academic program, and will be a forum for sharing individual experiences with peers. Thesis students should enroll in BIOL 780 during the second semester of the thesis. Should also be taken with a pre-approved individual capstone experience.

Independent study in a topic related ot Biology, arranged by the student with a faculty sponsor. Enrollment by permission only.

Independent research requiring a written proposal, a thesis, and a final public presentation (e.g. the Undergraduate Research Conference). Intended for biology majors completing biology Honors-in-major requirements. Contact biology program coordinator prior to senior year to arrange supervision and obtain permission. Two consecutive semesters. (4 credit minimum total; 8 credits maximum).