Undergraduate Research

Summer Research Opportunities

If you are a GU student interested in doing research over the summer, now is the time to start applying to programs. 

Gonzaga's Summer Research Program (GSRP) applications are available HERE.
Completed GSRP applications are due into Howard Glass by Friday February 12th.
Positions announcements are made in late February to early March.

If you are a GU students interested in doing summer research at a different institution, please see Off-campus Opportunities.
Many deadlines are approaching quickly - don't put off your applications!

Spring 2010 HHMI URA positions have now been awarded

Thanks to all who applied, and congratulations to those who received a position. If you did not receive an URA position, but are still interested in having an independent research experience, please do not hesitate to contact a faculty member whose research interests you.  There are many avenues for independent research, such as working for credit, volunteering or outside grants.

Students may begin working January 12th.
Before you begin work, please complete the following forms and return them to Christy Watson.

• URA Research Expectation Agreement
• HHMI Permission to Release Information
• Laboratory Safety Checklist
• Application for Individualized Study 
  Hard copies of this form must be completed, and the carbon copies properly routed. 
  They can be picked up from the Registrar's Office or from Dr. Staub. 

• Biology majors only - complete the Research Option Declaration form and return it to Dr. Staub.

Program Description

Students in Gonzaga’s Biology and Chemistry/Biochemistry departments have the opportunity to enhance their college experience through independent research in a faculty mentor’s laboratory.  Gonzaga’s HHMI supported programs in the sciences provide internships both over the summer and during the academic year for hands-on laboratory training.

For Chemistry and Biochemistry majors, the Senior Thesis provides a year-long independent research project for students during their senior year. 

Download degree guides/worksheets for both the Biology and Chemistry/Biochemistry majors here.

For more information on the many types of research being conducted, see the Faculty Research Interests page.  Funding for research projects is provided by a number of sources, including Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), Gonzaga University Summer Research Program (GSRP) and grants to individual faculty members.  In addition, research can be done for academic credits. 

Options for independent research

HHMI/GSRP supported assistantships

• Academic year assistantships come with a $750 stipend and are for one semester each.
  Students are expected to work an average of 5-6 hours per week during the semester.
  A student may receive up to two assistantships, and you must apply again to receive one for a second semester.
• Summer semester assistantships pay $10 per hour, with a maximum of 440 hours and a minimum of 320 hours.
  Students may work for a combination of credit and pay.
• Biology majors must enroll in the Research Option.

Grants to individual faculty members

• Some faculty have grants to support undergraduate research in their labs. 
• These positions do not have a time limit, and the hours per week and salary are decided on each individual case.
• If you are particularly interested in a faculty member's research, please contact them to see if this an option.

Research for credit

• Independent research may also be done for academic credits.  The type of research may be either in the lab, or a directed reading.
• Together the student and faculty fill out an application for individualized study (obtained from the registrar's office).
• Typically 1 credit is awarded for 5 hours of work per week.

Undergraduate research has long been a tradition at Gonzaga.  Just one example is chronicled here in an Science Connections article from 2004.