Undergraduate Research

One of the strengths of the Biochemistry major is that all our majors conduct research with world-class faculty engaged in biomedical research in any department in the School of Medicine or local affiliated hospitals.  Our students benefit from our innovative approach of active learning in cutting-edge research programs funded by agencies such as the National Science Foundation or the National Institutes of Health, in place of completing traditional class-based lab courses.

Our students have opportunities to carry out research in any of more than 200 biomedical research labs. The BSTP faculty list is one way to identify potential research mentors. Biochemistry majors may also discuss potential research labs with their Biochemistry faculty major advisor.  Students engaged in research before declaring a Biochemistry major should confirm with the Biochemistry undergraduate program director that their project satisfies the Biochemistry major research requirement.

Students start volunteering in research labs as early as freshman year, and all students are expected to enroll in research for credit (BIOC 391) by their junior year.  By starting research early, students maximize the opportunities at CWRU, Ohio's top research university, and our affiliated hospitals. Early engagement also increases a student's chance of co-authoring their findings in a scientific publication, which in turn can help with graduate school and medical school admission.

Biochemistry students are required to enroll in at least one semester, and up to three semesters, of BIOC 391 (Research Project).  Students should review the BIOC 391 guidelines and submit a BIOC 391 permission request form before requesting permission to enroll in SIS.

Many students also perform full-time research during the summer. Some programs which provide summer research stipends are the Department of Biochemistry's Hanson Summer Research Scholar Program, CWRU's SOURCE program, and the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center's CanSUR program.