The Experiential Learning Requirement for Biological Sciences majors may be fulfilled by any one of the following options listed below. A minimum of 3 credits must be completed to fulfill the SEBS experiential learning education requirement. Students must meet individual course/program eligibility requirements to participate. Plan ahead!
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Courses
- That satisfy the SEBS Experiential Learning Requirement
- And CAN count as Life Science elective credit toward the Biological Sciences major
Research Courses Offered Through Biological Sciences
All of these registrations must be approved in advance by the Biological Sciences Advisor (advising@biology.rutgers.edu). Requirement information and research contracts are available online. A maximum of 6 credits total from the following courses can be applied toward the Bio major.
Independent Study in Biology (01:119:201, 202)
This course is based on library work and does not involve lab research. Research may be completed with faculty from any RU-NB Life Science Department, provided the project is approved by the Biological Science Advisor. This course counts as 200-level life science elective credit. Requires a 2.8 minimum GPA.
Research in Biology (01:119:307, 308, 406, 407)
This course provides students with an opportunity to experience the scientific discovery process. Students engage in laboratory and/or field experimentation under the direct supervision of a RU-NB faculty mentor. Project must be approved by the Biological Sciences Advisor. Counts as upper-level life science elective credit and fulfills 1 lab course requirement one time. Requires a 2.8 minimum GPA.
Honors in Biology (01:119:408,409)
This course provides students with an opportunity to experience the scientific discovery process. Students engage in laboratory and/or field experimentation under the direct supervision of a RU-NB faculty mentor. Honors in Biology projects are expected to be more sophisticated than Research in Biology projects. The project must be approved by the Biological Sciences Advisor. Requires 3.0 GPA overall, 3.4 Biological Science GPA, previous research experience and requires 6 credit minimum commitment (3 fall/3 spring). Counts as upper-level life science elective credit and fulfills one lab course requirement. Please see the Biology website for additional requirements.
Joint Programs
Independent Study in Biomedical Sciences (01:556:301)
Open only to students enrolled in the Rutgers Access-Med Program and are accepted into Phase II. Website: odasis.rutgers.edu. Counts as upper-level life science elective and fulfills one lab course requirement.
BA/MD Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, BA/MD New Jersey Medical School and BA/DMD Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
Open only to students who are accepted to one of the accelerated programs. For more information, see hpo.rutgers.edu for application information.
George H. Cook Scholars Program (11:015:497, 498)
This program is a research and honors thesis opportunity designed for select students and conducted in senior year. Research projects must be approved by the Biological Sciences Advisor (advisor@biology.rutgers.edu) to also count to fulfill Honors in Biology, which enables the student to earn Biological Sciences Departmental Honors and have the coursework count toward the life science elective requirements. Follow Honors in Biology guidelines for eligibility and complete the George H. Cook Scholars Application for Biological Sciences Honors.
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Options
- That satisfy the SEBS Experiential Learning Requirement
- But DO NOT count as Life Science elective credit toward the Biological Sciences major
Internship in the Life Sciences (11:015:205)
In this 3-credit course, offered through the Division of Life Sciences, students complete a formal life science-based internship of 8 hours/week (112 hours minimum) over a 14-week period and online assignments through the semester. A professional at the internship site and the course administrator supervise the internship. Students should meet with Dr. Carr-Schmid (schmid@biology.rutgers.edu) or Kristen Lester (kristen.lester@rutgers.edu) in the SPIN office to register.
SEBS Student to Professional Internship Network (SPIN) Internship (3 credit) or Co-op Program (6 credits)
The SPIN Internship is a 3-credit Pass/no-credit course that requires 160 hours of paid or unpaid work experience related to biology. The 6-credit Co-op requires 750 hours of paid or unpaid work experience over 6 months. Students are responsible for finding the internship position. Once the position is approved, students meet with Dr. Carr-Schmid to receive approval of learning goals for the experience. Contact SPIN, Martin Hall, Room 109, or see the SPIN website for eligibility, deadlines, and further information.
Aresty Research Associate Program - Fall (11:554:301, 1.5 credits) & Spring (11:554:302, 1.5 credits)
The Aresty Research Assistant (RA) Program enables students to gain their first authentic research experiences by supporting faculty research projects during the academic year. Students receive 3 credits (Pass/NC) for the academic year (1.5 credits per semester). Students eligible for work study may also make arrangements with their faculty mentors to use their Aresty (RA) project as a work study job. For further information: https://aresty.rutgers.edu/ and 848-932-7027. Students may consider switching registration before the course starts to Research in Biology, if eligible, to receive credit toward the Biological Sciences major requirements. Contact Dr. Carr-Schmid (schmid@biology.rutgers.edu) for more information.
Completion of approved minors in Education as a Social Science, Science Communication, Science Outreach, or the Five-Year Teacher Education program offered by the Graduate School of Education
For further information:
- Undergraduate Minor in Education as a Social Science
- Science Communication Minor
- Five-Year Teacher Education & Post Baccalaureate Programs
Rutgers Center for Global Education Study Abroad Programs (3 credits)
Complete of biology-related field/research/work experiences for 3 credits during a Rutgers Study Abroad program. Contact Study Abroad.
SEBS Research Courses (3 credits required)
Students engage in laboratory and/or field experimentation. All registrations must be approved in advance by the department offering the course.
- SEBS Honors Tutorial/Honors Research (554:297, 298, 387, 398)
- Research Problems Agriculture & Environmental Science (015:483, 484)
- Research in Animal Science (067:493,494)
- Research Problems in Biochemistry (115:493, 494)
- Research in Biotechnology (126:497,498)
- Research in Entomology (370:493, 494)
- Spec Probs in Environmental Science (375:431, 432)
- Problems in Marine & Coastal Science (628:497, 498)
- Research in Microbiology (680:497, 498)
- Research in Nutrition (709:493, 494)
- Special Problems in Plant Science (776:495, 496)
- Lab Animal Science Management and Techniques (11:067:275) (3-credit course)
- Readings & Practicum-Human Ecology (biology-related only) (374:491)
Animal Practicum Courses (11:067:200, 201, 202, 203, 205, 207, 2 credits)
These courses are each 2 credits, so students must complete an additional 1 credit of SEBS Experiential Learning Education options to complete the 3-credit requirement. Medical clearance is required.
Career Explorations in Arts and Sciences Course (01:090:210, 1.5 credits)
*1.5 Credit Course. Must complete an additional 1.5 credits to complete SEBS Experiential Learning 3-credit requirement.