In all of our actions we strive to improve our students’ critical thinking skills, content based knowledge, and an appreciation for the scientific method and ethical expectations of scientists. Of all the experiences our department offers, undergraduate research is the most valued by our students. Students who participate in research in our department have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a faculty mentor on a research project. During the academic year, students can earn up to ten credit hours conducting research and stipends are usually available for students interested in doing summer research. Each year we typically have 40 – 50 students who spend their summer immersed in a research project with their faculty mentor (summer 2016 research students pictured below). Our undergraduate students frequently present their work at regional and national meetings and co-author papers in reputable peer-reviewed journals.