Undergraduate Research at Warren Wilson College
The undergraduate research project is a major part of a science student's career at Warren Wilson College. All students majoring in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, and Mathematics undertake a major research project their junior/senior year. Recent and current projects can be seen in the Natural Science Seminar Schedules:

2000-2001
1999-2000
1998-1999
1997-1998;
1996-1997

Click here for the current syllabus.

The students present their results to their peers and faculty in the Natural Science Seminar during their senior year. The seminar presentation is a public presentation of the research completed by each student in a polished format and represents the culmination of the research efforts of the student's project.

The research effort begins during the fall of the junior year as each science student enrolls in Research Design , where students are introduced to tools and methodologies of beginning a research experience. Each student then begins the research project while registered for NSS Research with a faculty research mentor. Each student enrolls in the Natural Science Seminar in which he/she listens and partially evaluates all the other research presentations by their peers, as well as giving his/her own presentation.

Research Design

Juniors will begin the process of selecting a research project. Activities will involve attending lectures which describe the research process, searching the literature, statistical design, and presentation of research results. Students will also attend the Natural Science and Mathematics seminar.

NSS Research

This course is for students doing research for their natural science seminar. After completing SCI 390 Research Design, students are ready to begin their independent research project. Working directly with a faculty research advisor, students will finalize their hypothesis, develop detailed experimental design plans, become familiar with the current scientific literature related to their topic, and collect and analyze data.

NSS Presentation

One of the most essential skills for natural scientists is the ability to investigate, organize, and orally present concepts and data to one's peers. This is the purpose of the Natural Science and Mathematics Seminar Presentation. In addition to serving as a forum for presenting and discussing student research, the seminar brings together the staff and students in the natural sciences and math to exchange ideas and perspectives.