Frequently Asked Questions
RESEARCH and RESEARCH AND READING COURSES
(Biology 91r, Supervised Reading, and Biology 99r, Supervised Research)
Q: How soon can I start research in a laboratory? Where do I look for a research job? How do I contact a professor?
A: When you can start laboratory research depends upon the student and on the individual professor or laboratory. Some students want to start their freshman year, either as a volunteer or for pay.
Some (but not all) laboratories will want the student to have specific courses completed before they will agree to accept a student into the laboratory.
There are many sources of information about research opportunities:
- The Student Employment Office is a good place to look, as many faculty members from FAS as well as from the Medical Area will post job openings.
- Students can look through the Research Interests of the Biology Faculty guide (available on the Biology Undergraduate website, with hardcopy in the Undergraduate Office) to see if there is an individual with whom a student would like to work.
- The Affiliates Program of the Biology Concentration is another excellent resource, with roughly 90 faculty members from the Medical Community willing to sponsor students. The Affiliates and their research are described on the Biology Website.
- Students can also do their own web searches in the Medical area searching by topic.
A preferred method of contacting a professor is first, by introduction, through an e-mail. Follow up with a phone call.
Q: How do I know if the laboratory is a good one?
A: Trust your feelings. If you feel in any way uncomfortable in the laboratory, if you feel that you are not being treated seriously, that the expectations are too high, if there are personality clashes, your best recourse is to discuss the situation with your Biology advisor, Barbara Cerva, the Head Tutor, or your Senior Tutor. Fortunately, such situations arise infrequently, and are most often resolved to everyone's satisfaction.
It is very important that the student and lab director determine from the outset the number of hours the student will be working, and whether the research project can be completed within a set timeframe. This time commitment must be validated with signatures of both the laboratory director and the student on the registration form for the research course.
Q: Are there any rules governing research in Biology?
A: Yes. FAS has a Research Conduct and Administration website devoted to Harvard's policies regarding research, full of links to information and forms.
Q I'm conducting research using Humans. What procedures do I need to follow?
A: The Biology Department has a new policy regarding Undergraduate Research using human subjects. "Human Subjects" is not limited to those subjects involved in clinical or laboratory studies. Any living person from or about whom information is collected for a scholarly study is deemed a "Human Subject."
On the registration form for Biology 99r, you must obtain your research director's signature to certify that the laboratory and the student have complied with, and received approval, from Harvard's Internal Review Board (IRB) on work with human subjects; you will have to attach a copy of the approved form to the registration form for the research course.
You can find all applicable forms, FAQs, and much more information regarding the University's policies and procedures regarding Human Subjects at http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~research/HumSub.html.
Q: Are there funds for summer research?
A: The Biology Concentration does not have a budget for summer research.
There are many places to look for grant money:
- The Harvard College Research Program has many grants for research as well as for grants specifically targeted for minorities.
- The Office of Career Services has a number of grants students can apply for, and produces the Harvard Guide to Grants.
- The Internet is another venue.
Q: Can I get credit for research done over the summer?
A: No, but you can get paid (providing you can find funding).
Q: Do I have to be writing a thesis in order to take a Research or Reading course?
A: No.
Q: How do I register for these courses?
A: We ask that students file registration forms with the Undergraduate Office for two reasons: to assure that the topic is appropriate to the Biology concentration, and so we know whom to solicit a course grade from.
Registration forms are available here on the biology website or in the Undergraduate Office. You should fill out all applicable fields on the form, obtain all appropriate signatures, and submit it to the Biology Undergraduate Office before the end of Shopping Period of that semester. You should also keep a copy of the registration form for your own records. If you are writing a thesis, you should submit an appropriate thesis proposal form in addition to the Supervised Research or Reading course registration form.
Q: Can I get paid and receive credit for research simultaneously during the year?
A: No.
For more information regarding research at Harvard, visit http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~research/greybook/toc.html
See also Thesis and Affiliates Program subsections of this FAQ section.
updated 01/01/05