Photo caption: Biotechnology students have distinguished themselves in several research programs. Shown is alumna Julianne Davis presenting at the Aresty Undergraduate Research Symposium. Biotechnology students in this program have received a Best Poster Award and two Honorable Mentions in 2015. Some students have even presented research at national meetings of large professional scientific societies (e.g. Biophysical Society).
Experiential learning (EL) is integral to student understanding and application of knowledge in the real world. At the School of Environmental & Biological Sciences (SEBS), students are required to earn 3 EL credit hours for graduation which can be obtained in variety of ways. Within the Biotechnology program, students can earn credits by participating in research with faculty, participation in special programs and/or internships.
Pathways for Experiential Learning (Formerly Experienced Based Education) Credits
1. Research in Biotechnology (11:126:497 (fall) OR 11:126:498 (spring): 1–6 credits
Prior to registration, students should identify and contact a faculty member at Rutgers who does research in biotechnology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics or related areas to supervise student research projects. Some places where these laboratories can be found are Rutgers University-SEBS, Rutgers University—Life Sciences, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Biomedical Engineering, or the Rutgers Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine (CABM).
This course is open to biotechnology and life science majors by special permission and requires approval of the faculty member who will supervise the research project. Students must complete the Learning Contract (48k Word file) to plan their research project. Once the learning contract is completed, signed, and sent via email to Learnin.g0kfp8s61802rshu@u.box.com, a special permission number will be issued from the Biotechnology Undergraduate Program Director.
2. Research Participation in Rutgers Special Programs
If you participate in a special program, please complete this survey to explain what your project will be.
3. SEBS Student to Professional Internship Network (SPIN): 3 or 6 credits
Although paid research internships at companies outside Rutgers should be registered through the SPIN program, it may be possible with approval to register a non-SPIN conforming internship through Research in Biotechnology if the internship is less than 3 credits.
*There are other experiences that can qualify for credit such as acting as the leader of a FIGS course. These are generally approved on an individual basis by the program director.
For more information, contact the Biotechnology Undergraduate Program Director Dr. Paul Meers (paul.meers@rutgers.edu).