College of Biological Sciences students engage in research right away in our award-winning Foundations of Biology courses. Those introductory courses are premised on the idea that students learn biology by doing biology. Students are encouraged to experiment and test out their own hypotheses in our first-of-its-kind active learning lab. This introduction to research is a first step meant to inspire curiosity. Course-based research experiences provide a strong foundation for directed research in a faculty lab. 

About the program

As a major research university, the U of M provides students an unparalleled opportunity to work alongside world-class researchers. Working in a faculty lab provides students with the opportunity to gain valuable lab-based skills, work with a team to think through complex problems and come up with novel solutions. The Dean's Research Program is designed to make those experiences available to more students. 

The program is offered during fall, spring and summer. Students selected to participate in this program will receive up to $4,200 ($15/hr) to support research work in faculty labs (or field-based research) for up to 20 hours per week for 12-14 weeks. Preference will be given to rising seniors who have not previously held a research position (volunteer, paid, other). Work study is preferred but not required for this program. Applicants will write a statement of general interest that will be used to pair them with faculty mentors.

Learn more about some of the research opportunities undergraduates have gotten involved in through the Dean's Research Program. 

All CBS undergraduates will be notified via email when a new application cycle opens. For more information about the program, contact the CBS Dean's Office at cbsrsrch@umn.edu.