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California State University, Chico

Faculty Research

Biological Sciences Assistant Professor Gerald Cobián (left) works with Tawny Bolinas (right) on research involving treatment on leaves of Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve

At Chico State, most Biology students discover faculty-led research opportunities as part of their academic journey. Research is a great way to see if this path is right for you, but it’s not a shortcut to easy units. Most students earn 1–2 units and should expect to spend 10–20 hours a week in the lab.

A one-semester commitment is the minimum, but the most rewarding experiences come from sticking with a project for two or more semesters. That’s when the learning deepens, and the discoveries really start to happen. Many students share their findings at local or national forums, and the ultimate honor? Becoming a co-author on a faculty publication.

Research Interests

If you are interested in working intensively with a faculty member and getting course credit for supervised research, you can do this through BIOL 399 or 499. You can’t sign up for these courses in the normal way and must talk to faculty first and have them agree to sponsor you.

Go talk to a faculty member if you are interested in her/his research program. Usually this happens the semester before you plan to do research. If the faculty member agrees to take you, you will be enrolled at the beginning of the semester you start research.