The Biology Department Research Practicum Courses (BIO-291, 292 & 293) are designed to get students involved in research early in their college careers.  Practicum students in my lab typically work 4-5 hours a week, attend lab meetings and Biology Department seminars.  I typically pair practicum students with senior thesis students, helping them with laboratory and field work and learning protocols and procedures as they go.  This gives students a taste of research in my lab and sets them up to hit the ground running if they end up doing their thesis with me.  Students receive Pass/Fail credit equivalent to one course if they earn three terms of passing grades for the practicum experience. Practicum students must earn the right to continue in the lab by doing their work, attending required meetings and seminars and being good citizens of the lab community.  This course is not open to students currently enrolled in a sophomore scholars projects in the Biology Department or in BIO-490 to 499. The research practicum does not count as a major elective.  Feel free to drop me an e-mail if you are interested in learning more.