The Council for Undergraduate Research defines Undergraduate Research as, “An inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline.”
Click here to read more about How Undergraduate Research Experiences Offer Great Opportunities for Community College Students.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1821351
We asked - and Cuesta College students answered!
In Spring 2020 & again in Fall 2021, we conducted student focus groups and student surveys and learned what Cuesta College students' needs are regarding undergraduate research opportunities from over 638 students. CLICK HERE FOR A PDF OF STUDENT FINDINGS.
In this fun, low stress course, you will work with a team of other students led by your instructor in actualopen mathematical or statistical programs. These problems might come from a variety of sources,including prestigious journals by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). Although collaborationand problem solving are the emphasis of the class, you will also get a chance to learn LaTeX, the standardtypesetting program for research journals worldwide. If the team is successful, you will have a chance topublish your results or see your name published in a prestigious international journal such as The CollegeMathematicsJournal by the MAA (see below publication from Cuesta College Math Faculty).
Questions? Please contact Math Instructor Guillermo Alvarez Pardo at guillermo_alvarezpar@cuesta.edu
Questions? Please contact Laurie McConnico (laurie_mcconnico@cuesta.edu)
Presents the principles of life and life processes with an emphasis on cellular structure, cell division, cellular chemistry, cellular communication, protein synthesis, genetics, and biotechnology.
Students in this course participate in lab exercises and independent projects to gain hands on experience in the application of the scientific method.
Click here for course outlines:
BIO 201A
BIO 201B
Presents an examination of microorganisms in the environment including: occurrence, abundance, and distribution; processes of microbial interaction with the environment; importance to human and animal health and practices of applied environmental microbiology. This course includes both field and laboratory work.
Students taking this short course in summer session are involved in an active research program examining the occurrence and impacts of a slime mold on eelgrass plants in the Morro Bay Estuary. Students who participate in this summer research experience may qualify for additional research positions during the regular academic year.
Presents and integrates aspects of marine processes, organisms, and ecology. Provides a general overview of marine biology, research, and human impacts on the marine environment. Lab: Presents and integrates aspects of marine processes, organisms, and ecology. Provides a general overview of marine biology, research, and human impacts on the marine environment.
Students taking this course during summer session will participate in a 2-week research and field lab/lecture experience in Baja, Mexico. As a part of this course, students design and complete independent research projects in Bahia de Los Angeles in the Gulf of California.
BIO 222
BIO 222L
Applies principles and methods of biological research.
Students must be pre-approved to participate in the course. Well qualified students may present their research findings at conferences and perhaps gain a publication in a peer reviewed journal.
Click on this PDF LInk for the promotional flyer
Click on this PDF Link for an overview of the presentation
Are you a faculty member interested in providing undergraduate research opportunities, or already do and want to showcase your course offerings or opportunities? Connect with our Faculty Innovators by e-mailing NSF IUSE Project Director and Biology Faculty, Laurie McConnico at laurie_mcconnico@cuesta.edu
Labyrinthula spp. Association with Eelgrass (Zosteramarina) Population in Morro Bay Estuary, Morro Bay, California
Presented at the Western Society of Naturalists conference in Ensenada, Mexico (Nov. 2019)
Stemming from Biology Course: BIO 210M Environmental and Applied Microbiology
Learn the science of skeletal preparation and articulation. Start with dissection of fresh vertebrate animals and then proceed to learning how to clean and degrease the bones, keeping them organized for articulation. Techniques involve scalpel work, boiling, soaking in various solutions and assembling skeletons using wire and hot glue. Finished specimens will be displayed at Cuesta College.
Stemming from Biology Course: Bio 240’s Independent Studies - Skeletal Preparation
Photograph of students presenting their research from BIO 210M:
Photographs of student research opportunities in BIO 210M:
Photographs of student research opportunities in BIO 222/222L:
Photographs of student research opportunities in BIO 240:
Study: Chai Tea Promotes Ampicillian Susceptibility in MRSA
Poster Presentation (Click here for PDF)
Academic Paper (Click here for PDF)
... More to come!
August 7, 2024
August 12, 2024
September 2, 2024
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