Biol 481, Biol 491 and Undergraduate Research

Biol 481 & Biol 491 are two inter-related independent study courses in the biology major. Biol 481, Readings in the Biological Sciences, is a 1-credit course designed to prepare students for the research project completed in Biol 491, Special Problems in Biology.  In Biol 481, a student reads and studies selections from the biological literature related to the research project to be completed in Biol 491. Biol 481 can be taken as early as a student's sophomore year, with the research project (Biol 491) beginning as early as a student's junior year.

Currently, the focus of my research is the development of simple techniques for the detection and study of nuclear import of proteins. That is, the transport of proteins through the nuclear pore complex and into the nucleus. All students engaged in research under my supervision are working on this problem. All of the student research projects I supervise are 4-semester projects: 1 semester of Biology 481 followed by three semesters of research. Any biology major interested in engaging in a research project under my supervision should come see me during their sophomore year to discuss their interest and possible projects. Please see the timeline below for more information.

Timeline for Planning and Pursuing a Research Project With Professor Gallik

1. Second semester of sophomore year: arrange an appointment with me to discuss your interest and project possibilities.

2. First semester of junior year: Enroll in Biol 481 (1 credit). In Biol 481 the student reads a selection of research papers focusing on the nuclear import of proteins with weekly discussions. At the end of the semester the student writes a research proposal that establishes the objectives of the research project.

3. Second semester of junior year: Enroll in Biol 491 (1 - 3 credits). The research project begins.

4. First semester of senior year: The research project continues.

5. Second semester of senior year: Conclusion of the project. Write the final research paper.

Honors Research

The Honors Research Program of the Department of Biological Sciences is the most challenging and potentially most rewarding research opportunity the Department offers its majors. It is a research-intensive program designed to offer a special set of opportunities and challenges to students who have demonstrated the ability to master complex biological concepts, think analytically and are likely to successfully engage in an independent research environment.  The program is designed to lead the undergraduate researcher through a true, complete research project, from the development of an original research question and the drafting of a formal research proposal, through the collection and analysis of data, to the drawing of formal conclusions that add new knowledge to our understanding of the biological world. The Honors student is required to write a formal thesis and deliver an oral presentation to department faculty and other interested parties.

A student interested in participating in the Honors program should first consider the program's eligibility and acceptance criteria and understand the requirements of the program (see below).  Students interested in pursuing an Honors project under my supervision should come see me during their sophomore year to discuss their interest and possible projects. They then must enroll in Biology 481, Readings in the Biological Sciences, following the general timeline outlined above.

For acceptance into the Honors Program, a student must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1) A student must be a junior-level biology major.  Students who have selected biology as a minor are NOT eligible; they should seek an Honors program in their major. Students who have a special major and whose research advisor is a member of the biology faculty ARE eligible.

2) A student must have a 3.00 overall UMW cumulative GPA and a 3.25 cumulative GPA in the Biology Major at the beginning of their final two 15-week semesters at UMW. A student must maintain these GPAs at graduation.

3) A student must have satisfactorily completed Biol 481. Biol 481 is a prerequisite for Biol 491.

4) A student must submit an Honors Program Application and an Honors Research Proposal (one paper copy and one electronic copy) to the Proposal Review Committee.

To successfully complete the requirements of the program, students accepted into the program must:

1) successfully complete the research project,

2) successfully fulfill any other requirements set forth in Biol 491

3) write an Honors Thesis,

4) deliver an oral Honors Presentation to the Department faculty, and

5) have a 3.00 overall UMW cumulative GPA and a 3.25 cumulative GPA in the Biology major at graduation.

For a complete description of the Department's Honors Program, please see A Student's Guide to the Department's Honor's Program.