The Biology Department at Saint Anselm College offers a number of research opportunities for undergraduates designed specifically to provide students with a hands-on experience conducting research in the biological sciences. These opportunities are available to any biology student meeting the pre-requisite requirements and are strongly encouraged for students interested in post-graduate professional programs or graduate school. Current research opportunities include the following:
Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) - a five year grant intended to strengthen biomedical research experiences for students at undergraduate colleges.
Directed Research in Biology (BI 421-422) - this course provides an individualized research experience in the biological sciences under the direction of a biology faculty member or as an interdisciplinary project under the direction of faculty from the Chemistry, Physics, or Psychology Departments. This experience includes literature searching, hypothesis development and testing, graphical and statistical analysis, and oral and written presentation. It is open only to upper-class students who have applied for and been admitted into a position in a science faculty's research laboratory. Two sequential semesters must be taken to earn credit.
Special Topics in Biology (BI 449) - this course consists of a detailed investigation of a topic not covered in other biology departmental offerings. The topic, which may include research, is chosen by the student in consultation with a faculty mentor.
Directed Research
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BI 421-422 Directed Research in Biology
Directed research in biology course provides an individualized research program for undergraduates, which includes hands-on experience with literature searching, hypothesis development and testing, graphical and statistical analysis, and oral and written presentation (see examples from previous student research below). The course is conducted under the direction of a biology faculty member or as an interdisciplinary project under the direction of faculty from the Chemistry, Physics, or Psychology Departments. Two sequential semesters of the course must be taken to earn credit.
How to apply
BI 421-422 is open to upper-class students who have applied for and been admitted into a position in a science faculty's research laboratory. To apply:- contact a science professor whose research is of interest (see faculty list on research page)
- download and complete the course application form (MSWord / 25.5KB)
Student research projects
- 2010 B.J. Wicklow, D.R. Smith, K. Flanery, S. von Oettingen. Translocation and Monitoring of the Brook Floater Mussel, Alasmidonta varicosa, After the 2006 Avulsion in the Suncook River, NH.
- 2010. Robert A. Mitchell, Mary Kate Donais, and B. J. Wicklow. Chemical Defense in Hatchling Wood Turtles, Glyptemys insculpta: Function of the Mysterious Rathke's Gland.
- 2010. Erin M. Higgins and B. J. Wicklow. Conservation and Adaptive Management of the Rare Orchid Isotria medeoloides.
- 2010. Rory Nesman and Eric Berry. A Brine Shrimp Bioassay Comparing Anti-herbivory Compounds in the Endangered Wildflower Senna hebecarpa and Four Other Temperate Wildflowers.
- 2010. Catherine Daggett and Eric Berry. Measuring the Effect of Decreasing Water Potential on Seed Germination, Seedling Development, and Population Growth in Endangered Wildflower Northern Wild Senna (Senna hebecarpa).
- 2009. N. E. Baginski, K. M. O'Brion, K. L. Richardson, P. M. Larson, and B. J. Wicklow. Morphometric Analysis of Sexual Dimorphism In The Federally Endangered Dwarf Wedgemussel, Alasmidonta heterodon.
- 2009. Ryan Garrette and Eric Berry. Impact of Light Environment on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Endangered Northern Wild Senna (Senna hebecarpa).
- 2008. Justin Wheeler, Christopher Darnowski, and Eric Berry. Reproductive Biology of the Endangered Wildflower Senna hebecarpa I: Pollination and Fecundity.
- 2008. Christopher Darnowski, Justin Wheeler, and Eric Berry. Reproductive Biology of the Endangered Wildflower Senna hebecarpa II: Germination and Seedling Emergence.
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INBRE: Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence
Saint Anselm College has received funding for biomedical research through a federal grant administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) sponsored by the NIH has funded a five-year $15.4 million grant for New Hampshire. Dartmouth Medical School, UNH, and eight colleges in New Hampshire will share the grant funds. Saint Anselm College has been awarded $1.2 million in funds for the five-year grant. The grant funds are intended to strengthen biomedical research experiences for students at undergraduate colleges. The grant aims to partner faculty at small colleges with faculty at Dartmouth and UNH to allow state-of-the-art biomedical research experiences for students at small colleges.
Professor Dan Broek, Ph.D. of the Biology Department at Saint Anselm College has been awarded approximately $500,000 for a 5-year projected aimed at understanding the role of increased numbers of chromosomes that are present in most human cancers. Students at the College can work in Dr. Broek's lab on this project during the academic year as well as earn a stipend to work full time in the summer.
In addition, the INBRE grant funds student research with any faculty member at the College working in a broad area of biomedical research. Students working on INBRE-funded projects have the opportunity to attend workshops, short courses in biomedical sciences, and scientific conferences. Students at the College can also apply for stipends to work over the summer on NIH-funded projects at Dartmouth or UNH.