Wittenberg's Neuroscience program has a deep commitment to student research, and our major and minor students are required to complete either a neuroscience related internship or independent research project prior to graduation. We encourage students to engage in one-on-one research opportunities with Wittenberg faculty. These research experiences are especially important for students who plan to apply to graduate school programs, as many require previous research experience.
Research projects vary both in scope and topic to suit the needs of the individual. Students have the option of participating in an ongoing project with a faculty member or creating their own research project. Students can conduct research during the academic year or seek internal funding to conduct their research during the summer. For more information about students research at Wittenberg, please click here.
What kinds of research opportunities are available for Neuroscience students at Wittenberg?
The Wittenberg faculty is active in research across campus. Students can work with our faculty either during the academic year or in the summer. Your challenge is to find a project that is of interest to you and a faculty mentor with whom you want to work closely. There are also opportunities to work with faculty in other institutions across the nation during the summer months.
As part of our curriculum, all Neuroscience students will complete smaller research projects within their classes. These projects often take 3-8 weeks of laboratory time to complete, and include data collection, data analysis, and an oral or poster presentation to the class. Some of these projects are suitable for students to publish abstracts of their work and present their findings at regional scientific meetings, and are good preparation for your independent research project.
How do I initiate an independent research project?
Initiating a research project with a faculty member is easy. Look at the Neuroscience faculty webpages and think about which lab fits best with your research interest. Go and speak with that person in their office. If the faculty member has room in his or her research laboratory for another student, you have initiated a collaboration with that faculty member!
What is the time commitment involved in conducting an independent research project?
The time commitment varies widely by discipline and experimental protocol. Some are very time-consuming and require your presence at specific times while other projects are more flexible and allow you to come and go as your schedule permits. Be clear with your research mentor when you talk about the required time commitment to ensure that neither of you become frustrated as your project proceeds.
Can I receive academic credit when conducting independent research?
Yes! To receive academic credit for your research project, discuss signing up for the Directed Research course with your faculty research mentor. This option allows you to sign up for 1-5 semester hours of credit, and the course will appear on your official transcript.
Can my independent research project fulfill the research requirement for University or Departmental Honors?
Absolutely! If you meet the GPA and other requirements for University Honors, Departmental Honors, or both, the research you do with your faculty research mentor will fulfill the research requirement for those programs. The same research project can generally be applied to both University and Departmental Honors, if the student is eligible for both.
Are there opportunities to present my research to others?
Students often present their findings at Wittenberg鈥檚 Celebration of Learning poster sessions. In many cases, students present their research at regional or national meetings as well, including the Midwest/Great Lakes Undergraduate Research Symposium in Neuroscience. These venues are a great way for students to meet fellow researchers and further distinguish themselves as they look forward toward graduate school after graduation.
What kinds of funding are available for independent research at Wittenberg?
Wittenberg offers competitive grants to support student research both during the academic year and the summer through our Development Board and the Biology Department (for those with a more biological view of Neuroscience).
- Academic year: $250 equipment and material grants are available
- Summer: $3000 grants (can include stipend, living expenses, and materials & equipment)
The Biology Department has additional funds available to foster student research at Wittenberg as well, and we typically supplement summer research grants from the University with an additional $1000 stipend. For more information on applying for a Biology grant award, click here.
What independent research opportunities are available regionally and nationally?
Many schools offer summer research programs for undergraduates which they use as a recruiting tool to attract strong students to their graduate or professional programs. Below are some websites that might help you as you look for summer research opportunities across nationwide.
Regional health related summer research programs:
National Neuroscience related summer research programs: