Examples of Topics in the past have included:

Robert Tombes "Cellular Decisions: Cell Growth or Differentiation"
Suzanne Barbour "Regulation of Phospholipid Metabolism by Phospholipase A2"
Aron Lichtman "Investigation into the Function of the Endocannabinoid System"
Ben Churn "Mechanism of Neuronal Excitation"
Harry Bear "Activation of T Lymphocytes for Cancer Therapy"
Rick Moran "Enzyme Inhibitors, Enzyme Isoforms and Cancer Chemotherapy"
Shijian Chu "Signaling for growth and death: exploitation of TNF-alpha for clinical benefits"
Sarah Jacobs-Helber "Hematopoietic Cell Differentiation"
Kris Valerie "Modulation of Cellular Radiosensitivity using Adenovirus-mediated Gene Delivery"
Phil Hylemon "Regulation of Hepatic Cholesterol and Bile Acid Biosynthesis"
Shawn Holt "Senescence, Aging and Telomerase"
Helen Fillmore "Tumor Cell Invasion"
Paul Dent "Regulation of Liver Regeneration"
Susanna Wu-Pong "Oligonucleotide Drug Delivery"

RESEARCH PROPOSAL: Students must complete a 2-3 page proposal for Independent Study due by the end of the second week of the semester (For example, 1st week of September, if research begins in Fall). This proposal should detail the work in which the student will be engaged, including 1) an introduction providing background information and the goals and/or objectives of the work; 2) a description of the work to be performed; 3) a time table for the conduct and completion of the work. The supervising faculty member must approve the proposal. All proposals will then be submitted to Dr. Len Smock (Biology department Chairman) or to Dr. Tombes. All students who fail to meet this deadline will be dropped from the class rolls the following Monday.

FINAL REPORT: A final report must be submitted each semester to receive a passing grade. The format and contents of the report are left primarily to the discretion of the supervising faculty member. The report should include 1) an introduction providing background information; 2) a methods section; 3) results and discussion. The final report should be given to the supervising faculty member no later than the beginning of the final exam period who will provide a recommended grade and a copy of the report to Dr. Tombes no later than the end of the final exam period. Dr. Tombes will then report all grades to the Dept. of Biology.

2nd year:  Take BIO 361. This course, described above, is an introduction to the research conducted in individual labs (See above)

3rd year: Take BIO 392.  This course teaches students how to write a research proposal and is a pre-requisite for BIOL 495.  Students should consult the list of available faculty advisors and arrange to meet with them to discuss potential projects. If the advisor accepts them into their laboratory, a written agreement will specify the number of hours that the advisor expects the student in the lab per week (at least 6); that student's schedule, grading expectations and person in laboratory responsible for direct oversight of student (can be post-doc, senior technician, graduate student or faculty). All students will need to prepare a proposal of their research project with their faculty advisor and submit it to the chairman of the Dept. of Biology.
BIOL  300 (Biotechniques) is also recommended as an introduction to Laboratory Techniques.

4th year: Take 2 semesters of undergraduate research (BIO 492 or BIO 495).

Grades will be determined primarily by the supervising faculty member, but an A student must show initiative, self-motivation, punctuality, reliance and independent problem solving.