Research Opportunities
As you pursue your genetics studies, you have the opportunity to engage in authentic research by working alongside expert faculty in their labs. Since genetics touches many sub-disciplines of biology, you could conduct research in almost any Biology faculty member’s lab, or even faculty associated with the Medical Education Center at Ball State.
Our students work alongside faculty who conduct pioneering research, gaining real-world experience while contributing to studies that drive progress for biological sciences. Valuable faculty-student partnerships result in peer-reviewed publications, as well as student-led presentations at local, state, national, and international conferences. These research experiences build highly-sought skills that complement your degree and launch careers!
Ongoing research projects involving our students include:
- assembling genomes for threatened species
- using supercomputers to understand amphibian genome evolution
- Characterizing incompatibilities between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes
- Genotyping species for disease resistance markers
- Investigating bacteriophages and the role of microbial communities in influencing insect physiology
- Development of microbial biopesticides as eco-friendly tools for controlling insect vectors of human disease
- phylogenomic analysis of the group Spermacoceae, within the coffee family
- RNA modifications in fungal pathogens
- detection and destruction of disease-causing aberrant proteins
- molecular underpinnings of cancer and ALS
- analysis of chromatin and nucleosome structure
As a student as Ball State, you can 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.