Research

​​The Biological Sciences program is primarily housed in the William G. McGowan Biological Sciences Center, which provides modern research infrastructure, including tissue culture equipment, environmental chambers, a DNA sequencing facility, a confocal microscope, a darkroom, several communal equipment rooms, an animal care facility, and a greenhouse. In 2008, our facility was enhanced by the addition of the adjacent 130,000-square-foot Monsignor Andrew J. McGowan Science Building. This large science complex now houses the departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences, providing the interdisciplinary interactions so important to a vibrant community of science students and faculty. DePaul’s location in Chicago offers opportunities for collaborative research and use of facilities at a number of neighboring institutions.

The Department of Biological Sciences strives to foster a diverse and intellectually stimulating research environment. Our professors are active scholars that publish scientific articles in the leading journals in their fields and direct research labs that involve undergraduate and graduate students. Areas of scholarship represented include:

  • Aquatic biology
  • Cancer biology
  • Cell biology
  • Developmental biology
  • Ecology
  • Endocrinology
  • Evolutionary biology
  • Genetics
  • Immunology
  • Microbial ecology
  • Molecular biology
  • Neurobiology
  • Paleobiology
  • Physiology
  • Reproductive biology
  • Virology
Undergraduate research
Students interested in learning more about research opportunities in Biological Sciences can visit our Faculty and Staff page to review faculty research areas​. Faculty within the Biology department often have positions available for undergraduates seeking research opportunities, and funding for research is available through the department or the college. We encourage students to contact faculty and explore opportunities for research. Participation in research can lead to co-authorship on abstracts, poster presentations, or manuscripts. Many students present the results of their research at student conferences like DePaul’s Undergraduate Research Symposium (held annually in the fall) and the Chicago Area Undergraduate Research Symposium (held annually in the Spring).
 

 
You may also schedule an appointment with the college's Office of Advising and Student Services to learn how to explore research opportunities by either calling 773-325-8490 or emailing CSHAdvising@depaul.edu. Also, please explore some of these links below!
Students starting in research (e.g., freshmen and sophomores) or working on more limited research projects can get credit for their work by enrolling in an Introduction to Research course with faculty consent by filling out the application form  (BIO 299 Form.pdf)​ and contract (BIO 299 Contract.pdf). 
 
Juniors, seniors or students working on more advanced projects can obtain Independent Study credit for their research with faculty consent by filling out the application form  (BIO 399) and contract (BIO 399 Contract.pdf). 
 

Students interested in earning Experiential Learning credit for research done with a Biological Sciences faculty member should enroll in BIO 397 Mentored Research Experience in Biology. Students and faculty must complete the BIO 397 Course Application form (BIO 397 Form.pdf) and Experiential Learning Research Contract (BIO 397 Contract.pdf) in order to enroll in the course.