INDEPENDENT RESEARCH (395) COURSES                  <<Research from Past Semesters>>

INTRODUCTION
What are Independent Research Courses?
Independent Research (395) courses allow students to gain research experience while gaining academic credit for their work in the laboratories of program faculty located on UR's Rivercampus or Medical Center. Typically a student and faculty member agree to register a research project as a course. Although research courses are not typical lecture hall experiences they are still considered a course that requires defined objectives, learning outcomes, contact hours, and criteria for evaluation that is normally associated with regular credit-bearing courses. Independent Research courses involve hands-on benchwork and laboratory techniques that are non-clinical in nature.

GETTING STARTED / FINDING A RESEARCH MENTOR
It's All About Connecting with Faculty Who Conduct Research Within Your Area of Interest...
It is the student's responsibility to find a faculty member that conducts research within their area of interest and who will agree to take them on as a independent research student for a semester. Undergraduates are advised to begin searching for a research mentor before the semester begins as they may decline to sponsor a course, especially if the request is submitted too late after the beginning of classes. Similarly, any request for an exception to the policies may be denied.

Students usually find mentors through consulting their academic advisors and teachers for recommendations of faculty that may conduct research in their area of interest. Another way would be to search UR websites and network with faculty to find out if they would be willing to take on new students. Additionally, students that work in a lab may also register a research course with their lab manager as long as payment is not received for the work that is related to the course. Please note that research mentors that consent to instructing an Independent Research course must be a full-time members of the teaching faculty at the University of Rochester; including visiting professors. Resources to help students connect with research mentors are available on the UPBM Independent Research Resources webpage.

GRADING
Independent Research (395) courses cannot be taken on a pass/fail basis: Only a letter grade may be assigned to the course.

FINAL REPORT REQUIREMENT
All 395 courses require submission of a final report. A copy of the final reports needs to be sent to the UPBM Office by the last day of exams of the current semester. The final report is intended to be a summary of research done over the course of the semester. Length, content, and format of the final report are at the mentor’s discretion. Please note that even if the research produces inconclusive results or is unfinished, a summary that reports results thus far is still required. A student will not be able to register for another research course until their final report has been handed in.

INCOMPLETE POLICY
Students will not be allowed to register for another 395 course until work from the previous semester is completed. Should a student not be able to complete the work for a 395 course before the end a semester, an incomplete contract will need to be submitted to the UPBM office.

UPPERLEVEL WRITING COURSES (395W)
Students who are planning to use the 395 courses to satisfy an upper-level writing (ULW) requirement must register the course as a 395W. Be sure to note the ‘W’ on the IS form. Final reports on 395W courses must undergo at least one re-write prior to final submission.

CREDIT REGULATIONS
Students can take no more than eight credits of 395 courses from the same faculty member. Additionally, Students can take no more than four credits of a 395 course per semester without petitioning for an exception.

PETITIONING
If you believe your situation warrants an exception to any of the above faculty policies; A petition explaining the rationale for your proposal should be submitted to Academic Support along with the IS form.

ANTICIPATED WORKLOAD
A 395 course is usually an exciting learning experience; however, it requires considerable time in order to have any chance for success. Students are expected to devote a minimum of ten hours per week (on the average) to an independent research course.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGISTERING INDEPENDENT RESEARCH (395) COURSES WITH UPBM FACULTY
There is a different process for registering independent research courses with UPBM faculty members in that they cannot be registered through the College Registrar's Website. For instructions on how to register and link to the online form visit: http://www.rochester.edu/college/BIO/UPBM/IndependentResearch/InstructionsForRegisteringUPBMCourses.pdf
For list of UPBM Faculty Visit: http://www.rochester.edu/college/BIO/UPBM/IndependentResearch/CourseDesignations_Prefixs.htm