Research Opportunities
As a Genetics Concentration student, you will be able to refine your career goals by working with faculty in field or laboratory research areas, or non-laboratory-oriented areas. Students may choose to participate in research in any Biology faculty member’s lab, or faculty associated with the Medical Education Center at Ball State.
You and your fellow student researchers at Ball State are a valued member of every faculty member’s program. You will find multiple opportunities to learn to communicate and publish your research findings in highly respected scientific journals as well as present their findings at local, state, national, and international conferences. Each opportunity further builds your knowledge and skills, and adds value to your degree and resume.
Some of the research projects our students have assisted with include:
- analysis of chromatin and nucleosome structure
- bioinformatics analysis of scaffold/matrix attachment regions of the nucleus
- phylogenomic analysis of the Gramineae
- novel approaches to the analysis of the control of meiosis
- pedigree analysis of critically endangered breeds of equids
- genetic analysis of human genealogical database medical phenomena
- cutting-edge technologies to study neuronal circuitry
- detection and destruction of disease-causing aberrant proteins
- molecular underpinnings of cancer and ALS
As a student as Ball State, you will also have the opportunity to write proposals for submission to our Undergraduate Research Program and scientific organizations to further build your resume to increase your career options beyond graduation from Ball State.
Laboratories and Advanced Equipment
In a laboratory-focused field, it is important to have access to authentic labs and equipment that you will use in your career or in graduate school with pipetting equipment, incubators, autoclaves, fluorescent readers, and more. At Ball State, you will be able to conduct research and apply your knowledge utilizing tools such as sophisticated confocal and electron microscopy, laser technologies, flow cytometry, and advanced genomic analyses to solve real research problems.
Student Organizations
The Department of Biology is home to several academic clubs that provide an opportunity to connect with other students in your concentration for support, professional development opportunities and academic discussion.
A few student organizations you may be interested in joining as a genetics student include:
Small Class Sizes
Our low student-to-professor ratio and small class sizes give you personalized attention from faculty, who are world-class experts in their disciplines.
Your coursework from the freshman year onward can be tailored to your interests and career goals through specific optional Chemistry and Biology courses within the concentration. All genetics students are strongly encouraged to take coursework in one of two biochemistry courses depending on your career goals, as well as courses related to your specific interests. Your academic advisor is your partner and will work with you to become a successful Ball State graduate.