Electives - Anatomy and Cell Biology

Research in Cell Biology

Elective Number: 3804 (research)

Rotation Supervisor: Dr. Robert A. Bloodgood, Jordan Hall 3-089

Evaluation should be given to: faculty member supervising the research project

Prerequisite: At least a month in advance, submit a research proposal (see Research for Elective Credit)

Duration: Maximum 12 weeks, Minimum 8 weeks

Available: This elective can be performed during any periods for which suitable arrangements can be made with an individual faculty member. The period of the research elective must be contiguous and no less than eight weeks.

Time to Report: 9:00 am or as otherwise arranged with the supervisor

Place to Report: office of the supervisor or elsewhere as pre-arranged

Typical day: Research generally involves and requires flexibility in hours.

Attendance: Attendance at elective activities is mandatory.

• Anyone who is ill or has a personal or family emergency must contact Student Affairs and the Attending on Service.
• Students are allowed to take off up to 1 day per week to interview between November 1 and February 1.
  • Specific days missed must be approved by the Attending on Service.

Number of Students Per Rotation: 10 

Course Description: Goals and Objectives:

1. Provide a meaningful laboratory-based research experience
2. Improve the student's knowledge of the scientific method and of research design
3. Improve the student's technical laboratory skills and his/her knowledge of specific laboratory techniques
4. Assist a student in determining whether he/she wishes to pursue a career that involves basic research as a component

The student is expected to work full time in a research laboratory during the elective and to participate in cutting-edge research in some area of molecular cell biology and the related fields of molecular development and molecular reproduction. The research elective can be arranged with any faculty member holding a primary or secondary appointment within the Department of Cell Biology. Consult the departmental web site at: http://www.virginia.edu/cellbiology/faculty/index.html.

In addition to direct laboratory work, the student will be expected to read extensively in the primary research literature and to participate in lab group meetings and journal clubs. Due to the limited time, the student is encouraged to arrange this type of elective well in advance in order to allow preliminary discussions with the faculty member, reading of some of the relevant literature, identification of a suitable project and preparation of a research proposal which must be reviewed and approved by a representative of the Electives Board prior to the commencement of the research elective.