BIOG 2990/4990
Research for Credit during the Academic Year
(We do not allow students to pre-enroll in research for credit)
Over 500 students each semester earn academic credit for undergraduate research by enrolling in independent research courses. Most students enroll in 2-4 credits of research (3-5 hours per credit). A student’s research mentor can be in any department as long as the research is biological in nature. A faculty member or research associate must supervise the research. Students often work directly with a graduate student, technician, or postdoctoral scientist in the lab.
BIOG 2990/4990 Research for credit enrollment information
The enrollment form for Spring 2026 is now available.
Deadline to enroll and change research credit February 20, 2026.
Late add requests of either BIOG 2990 or BIOG 4990 will not be accepted after the enrollment deadline. Requests due to extenuating circumstances only can be sent to biog2290_4990 [at] cornell.edu.
The online enrollment form for independent research for credit (BIOG 2990 & BIOG 4990) is available through Experience Cornell.
Once the enrollment form is submitted and approved by your PI, you will receive a Permission Number by email. You must self-enroll in the course through Student Center (search by the Class Number) – you are not enrolled in the class until it is on your Student Center schedule. (Always double check your schedule)
Do not submit a new duplicate enrollment form if:
- You have already submitted an independent research for credit enrollment form and are waiting for approval,
- You can't enroll because you need to request to go over the maximum credits for the semester. (Contact your home college for information about exceeding max term credits)
You will receive emails regarding the enrollment from biog2990_4990 [at] cep.cornell.edu. Make sure to check your clutter and junk email folders.
Contact Kristy Long at biog2990_4990 [at] cornell.edu (biog2990_4990[at]cornell[dot]edu) with questions.
BIOG 2990, Introduction to Research Methods in Biology
Intended for students new to undergraduate research. Students enrolled in BIOG 2990 may be reading the scientific literature, learning research techniques and assisting with ongoing research. Credit hours are variable (maximum of 3 credits) and grading is S/U only. This course is a prerequisite for BIOG 4990.
BIOG 4990, Independent Research in Biology
Students work more independently on a research project. You do not have to generate your own research topic. More typically, students get involved in the ongoing research of the lab. The prerequisite for BIOG 4990 is the completion of one semester of BIOG 2990 or previous research experience. You will need to prepare a brief research description as part of the BIOG 4990 application. We encourage you to work with your research mentor to draft this in advance of applying.
We do not pre-enroll for BioG 2990 or BioG 4990. You must complete the online enrollment form at the start of the semester.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes for Introduction to Research Methods in Biology
Upon completion of the Introduction to Research Methods in Biology, students will be able to
- Locate and evaluate scientific literature relevant to a biological research question or area of interest.
- Interpret, summarize, and discuss primary research articles within the context of current biological inquiry.
- Describe and apply key research methods used in the lab group, and perform procedures with guidance from a mentor or instructor.
- Communicate effectively about a research topic with peers and lab members in both informal and semi-formal settings.
Learning Outcomes for Undergraduate Independent Research
Upon completion of an independent research experience, students will be able to
- Conduct comprehensive searches of the scholarly literature to build familiarity with the foundational and current work relevant to their research area.
- Articulate how their project fits within the broader disciplinary context, demonstrating an understanding of the overarching themes, questions, and knowledge gaps within the field.
- As relevant, formulate a clear research question and develop hypotheses or predictions grounded in existing scholarship and scientific reasoning.
- Work effectively with their mentor and other members of the research team, demonstrating professional communication, responsiveness to feedback, and problem‑solving strategies.
- Apply appropriate research methods, protocols, and technical skills to advance the goals of the project.
- Demonstrate responsible conduct of research and seek guidance as needed to ensure accuracy and reliability.
- Maintain organized, complete, and well‑documented records of data and research activities.
- Structure data files and accompanying documentation such that mentors and collaborators can readily access, interpret, and use the information.
- Communicate their research effectively—verbally and/or in writing—through lab meetings, conference presentations, poster sessions, oral reports, or similar venues
- Prepare, in collaboration with their principal investigator (PI), a culminating product (e.g., written report, research poster, oral presentation) that:
- Demonstrates engagement with communities or causes beyond themselves, including the societal, disciplinary, or institutional contexts in which the research operates.
- Identifies personal strengths and areas for development, reflecting on how the research experience informs their academic trajectory and career goals.
- Connects disciplinary learning to practice, showing how theoretical or classroom-based knowledge is applied within research settings.
Researchers and students may use this sample mentoring agreement to guide discussions about expectations and deliverables for BIOG 2990/4990.
BIOG 4997-Biological Sciences Practical Training
BIOG 4997 is a .25 credit, S/U independent study course that offers students in the Biological Sciences major an opportunity to reflect on professional and personal growth, challenges, and opportunities resulting from a recent internship or training experience. International students should contact the Office of Global Learning to determine if they need work authorization. Typically these internships/experiences take place in the summer and students, in the semester they return to campus, write a paper describing their work experience and how it connects to the major, their career goals, as well as the overall learning objectives of the Biological Sciences major. The value of the course is in the deep reflection on expectations, successes, challenges and skills and knowledge gained during the internship.
Fill out the BIOG 4997 enrollment form. Once the form is reviewed by the Office of Undergraduate Studies, you will receive an enrollment number so you can enroll through student center.
Email bioresearch [at] cornell.edu with any questions.