Program Benefits

Financial

Tuition Fee partial payment (Juniors/Seniors: up to 60%)

Stipend (Juniors/Seniors: $14,340/year)*

Scholar Travel Fund (Juniors/Seniors: $1,000)

Scholar Conference Attendance Fund (Seniors only: up to $750)

Scholar Research Materials & Supplies Fund (Juniors/Seniors: up to $2,000)

Mentor Travel Fund (Faculty only: up to $1,000)

Scholar Summer Research Experience Participation (Juniors only: $3,500)

*Stipends, fellowships, and scholarships may affect student financial aid and taxable income

Enrichment Courses

Summer Workshop (Session A, May/June-July -- Session A)

Undergraduate Research Student Enhancement Pro-seminar (BIOL 480U; one unit per semester for four semesters)

Senior Thesis (BIOL 498; one unit for two semesters) -- Fall & Spring during the second year in the program

Scientific Writing (ENGL 363; three units for one semester) -- Fall during the first year in the program

Scientific Communication (BIOL 398; three units for one semester) -- Spring during the first year in the program

Academic

Mentoring by CSUF faculty members and peers (MARC/U-RISE alumni)

Priority registration

Academic and career advising

Earn research laboratory units toward major requirements (if applicable)

Develop written and oral communication skills

Gain knowledge on diverse research fields

Prepare for graduate school application process (personal statement, CV)

Become familiar with graduate research program requirements

Support for GRE preparation course (general exam), if needed

Network with graduate students and scientists from other institutions

Research

Learn to conduct scientific research, analyze data, and interpret results

Learn to keep a comprehensive laboratory notebook

Conduct an average of 20 hours of research per week (every semester)

Opportunity to present research at national, regional, and local meetings

Conduct summer research at a research-intensive institution

Read and evaluate primary research articles

Read and discuss published work of visiting scientists

Meet and network with visiting scientists

Opportunity to meet with graduate school representatives through conferences or informational forums

Build teamwork skills