Biology First-Year Research Initiative (FRI)

Penn State First-Year Research Initiative's poster night, from the Spring
2019 semester.
Penn State Biology's First-Year Research Initiative (FRI):
Two-semester sequence that gives students an authentic experience that provides a bridge to working in research laboratories. Students are supported by faculty and by undergraduate FRI alumni in the sequence.
How to sign up? Students sign up during New Student Orientation (NSO) in the summer before their first-year. The only requirements are that you are excited to learn research skills and to earn an extra research credit (BIOL294) each semester for conducting independent and collaborative research projects. Interested individuals should contact the Penn State Biology Undergraduate Academic Advising office: bioadvising@psu.edu
First semester: In lieu of the regular BIOL110 lab, you will explore biological research practice and design your own short research project with the support of undergraduate learning assistants (FRI alumni) and the faculty below.
Second semester: Students work with a Biology faculty on authentic research, which replaces your BIOL230W: Molecules and Cells lab. Click research faculty names below to access their websites and learn more about their research.