Undergraduate Opportunities

•  4 credits
• Class code 59260
• This course introduces key statistical concepts and how they are used to solve biological problems. Topics include the scientific method, data representation, descriptive statistics, elementary probability distributions, estimation and hypothesis testing, and analysis of variance. Formerly known as BIOL 570. Not open to students with credit in BIOL 570. Prerequisite: MATH 101 or MATH 104 or MATH 115 or MATH 125 or MATH 145 and BIOL 150 or BIOL 151 or BIOL 152 or BIOL 153.

•  4 credits
• Class code 49175
• Introduction to the patterns and processes of organic evolution. Considered are the history of evolutionary thought, molecular evolution, genetics and microevolution, selection and adaptation, and speciation and macroevolution. Emphasis will be placed on how scientists study and document change over time in natural populations, methods for testing hypotheses about events in evolutionary history, and how discovering evolutionary mechanisms at one level of organization can help to explicate general processes in the natural world. Prerequisite: BIOL 152 and BIOL 350, or consent of the instructor.

• 4 credits
• Class code 65548 or 65553
• The course will start from the ground up, assuming no prior coding experience and will cover basic Linux, Bash, and Python programming languages. Students are expected to complete an independent project by the end of the semester using some of the tools learned in class. One of the four credit hours from this course will apply towards BIOL lab elective requirements numbered 400 or higher for biology majors. Prerequisite: MATH 101 or MATH 104, or a 26 or higher on the math portion of the ACT, or a 610 or higher on the math portion of the SAT, or a qualifying score on the mathematics placement exam.

• 3 credits
• Class code 65405
• Evolution of mammals, and anatomical modifications involved in the process as ascertained from the fossil record. Concurrent enrollment in BIOL 526/GEOL 525 is recommended as the lab amplifies the content of the lecture. (Same as GEOL 524.) Prerequisite: BIOL 152, BIOL 153, BIOL 225, or GEOL 121, or consent of instructor

• 1 credit
• Class code 65408
• Laboratory course in mammalian paleontology, providing hands-on access to fossil and modern mammal specimens to facilitate comprehension of mammalian anatomy, phylogeny, and functional morphology. (Same as GEOL 525.) Prerequisite: Concurrent or prior enrollment in BIOL 524/GEOL 524.

• 3 credits
• Class code 54604
• An intermediate course in the structures, functions, mechanisms, and interactions of mammalian organ systems. Discussions span topics from molecular to whole animal functions. Not open to students with credit in BTEC 546. Prerequisite: BIOL 150; BIOL 152 or BIOL 240; and concurrent or prior enrollment in CHEM 330 or CHEM 380, or consent of instructor.

• 2 credits
• Class code - NA
• Laboratory experiments in representative areas of mammalian physiology designed to complement BIOL 546. Not open to students with credit in BIOL 247. Prerequisite: Corequisite: BIOL 546 or BIOL 646.

• 4 credits
• Class code - 65662
• Herpetology introduces students to the global diversity of amphibians and reptiles. Students will learn about the major groups of frogs, salamanders, snakes, lizards, crocodiles and turtles through classroom lectures and hands-on laboratories built around the world-class specimen collections housed in the KU Biodiversity Institute. We will also cover a broad range of other important topics through a herpetological lens, including systematics, evolution, ecology, conservation, life histories, biogeography, communication, locomotion, physiology, diet, behavior, and reproduction. One of the four credit hours from this course will apply towards BIOL lab elective requirements numbered 400 or higher for biology majors.

• 3 credits
• Class code - 52413
• An introduction to the foundational concepts that underpin scientific inquiry and problem solving. Coursework is built around three student-designed inquiries, and topics considered within that context include experimental variables, basic principles of statistics, safety and ethics of investigation, professional communication techniques, and appropriate literature review. Enrollment priority will be given to students currently admitted to the UKanTeach program.

• 1 credit
• Class code - 49223
• Students pursuing Honors in Biology will meet weekly to discuss, both formally and informally, their honors research. Background information and experimental approaches of the research will be examined and critiqued. Prerequisite: Enrollment in Biology Honors program and consent of instructor.

Title: Data Security & Privacy Content Developer

Project mentor:  Aimee Stewart

Lab/Collection:  Specify Collections Consortium

Positions available:  1-2

Project Description: The Specify Collections Consortium (SCC), a non-profit software group hosted at the KU Biodiversity Institute, builds one of the world's leading data management platforms for natural history museums (used in over 450 collections around the world). Specify employees may be granted access to highly sensitive biologic and geologic data from these collections. This project offers a unique opportunity to enhance the data security and privacy knowledge of Specify staff through the creation of an engaging and informative training video and supporting documentation. This will involve researching best practices in data handling, privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA), and common security threats relevant to biodiversity and geology collections data. This role will involve scripting, storyboarding, and potentially producing a video that explains these complex topics in an accessible and understandable way, along with written supporting documentation. The goal is to create a resource that not only educates but also empowers staff to protect sensitive information and maintain the integrity of valuable collection data.

Skills needed:

• A strong aptitude for research.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Keen interest in data privacy and security.
• Experience with video editing software and instructional design is a plus, but not required.

Skills to be gained:

• A practical experience in instructional design and video production.
• A deep understanding of data security principles and privacy regulations.
• Ability to translate complex legal and technical information into engaging educational content.
• A portfolio demonstrating expertise in data governance, content creation, and staff training.
• Preparation for future roles in museum informatics, compliance, or educational media.

Semester: Spring, Summer, Fall

Title: Ichthyology Specimen Imaging

Project mentor:  Andrew Bentley

Lab/Collection: KU Ichthyology

Positions available:  2

Project Description:The KU Ichthyology Division is seeking students to assist the curator, collection manager, and graduate students with the 2D imaging of specimens in our collection with the aim of including them in our database and publishing them online to assist in research uses of the collection. We have three main priorities for this imaging project - type collection specimens, tissue vouchers, and unidentified material. Working with imaging equipment in the BI imaging lab, students will retrieve predetermined specimens from the collection for imaging. Specimens will be imaged in liquid (from multiple angles if necessary) using immersion tanks and an existing imaging box lighting setup and camera. Images will then be post-processed for cropping, color correction, and exposure settings. May include attaching images to relevant records in the database along with necessary metadata.

Skills needed:

• Interest in photography and collections.
• Basic understanding of digital camera operation and photography standards.
• Attention to detail and analytical/organizational skills.
• Ability to work alone or in teams.
• Required to work with formalin and ethanol using appropriate PPE.

Skills to be gained: 

• Photographic experience
• Practical experience in a collection setting
• Basic fish identification skills
• Understanding of the importance of collections and the curation steps necessary in their management

Title: Ichthyology Specimen X-raying

Project mentor:  Andrew Bentley

Lab/Collection: KU Ichthyology

Positions available:  1

Project Description:The KU Ichthyology Division is seeking a student to assist the curator, collection manager, and graduate students with the x-ray imaging of specimens in our collection with the aim of including them in our database and publishing them online to assist in research uses of the collection. We have three main priorities for this imaging project - type collection specimens, tissue vouchers, and unidentified material. Working with the digital x-ray equipment in the BI imaging lab, students will retrieve predetermined specimens from the collection for imaging. Images will be post-processed for cropping, color correction, and exposure settings. May include attaching images to relevant records in the database along with necessary metadata.

Skills needed:

• Interest in photography and collections.
• Basic understanding of photography standards
• Attention to detail and analytical/organizational skills.
• Ability to work alone or in teams.
• Required to work with formalin and ethanol using appropriate PPE.

Skills to be gained: 

• Photographic experience
• Practical experience in a collection setting
• Basic fish identification skills
• Understanding of the importance of collections and the curation steps necessary in their management

Title: Marketing Materials Developer

Project mentor:  Grant Fitzsimmons

Lab/Collection: Specify Collections Consortium

Positions available:  1

Project Description:  The Specify Collections Consortium (SCC) seeks a creative communicator to design and produce fresh marketing collateral that raises awareness of our collections management platform (CMS) among natural history museums worldwide. You will develop pamphlets, video snippets about the software, and a monthly newsletter, and help craft a comprehensive communications plan for working with over 450 collections around the world. This project offers you the chance to improve the SCC’s voice, convey our mission and impact, and engage an international audience of collection managers, curators, researchers, and software users. 

Skills needed:

• Strong writing and storytelling abilities.
• Basic graphic design or video editing experience (e.g., Canva, Premiere Pro).
• An understanding of marketing strategy and audience segmentation.
• Creativity and project management skills.

Skills to be gained: 

• Hands-on experience in developing multi-channel marketing campaigns.
• A portfolio of print and digital collateral (pamphlets, video, newsletter).
• Strategic communications planning and brand development.

Semester: Spring, Summer, Fall

Title: Weevils of Kansas

Project mentor:  Nico Franz, Samanta Orellana

Lab/Collection: KU Entomology and Franz Lab

Positions available:  2-4

Project Description:  The KU Entomology Division and Franz Lab are recruiting 2-4 students to advance the Weevils of Kansas biodiversity inventory project. The project is connected to the KU Entomology Collection located in the Public Safety Building (1501 Crestline Drive) on KU West Campus. 

Weevils are plant-feeding beetles with approximately 580 different species recorded for our state. This project advances our knowledge of Kansas weevil species identities, distributions, host plant associations, and other relevant biodiversity information. Students will receive training in insect sampling in the field, specimen processing for biodiversity research collections, data digitization, and other methods. The project workflow includes using biodiversity data management and publication platforms such as Specify and Symbiota. Access a central, publicly accessible project checklist.

Skills needed:

• Strong motivation to learn and apply methods of processing insect specimens for biodiversity research collections.
• Attention to detail, careful handling of small research specimens, and good analytical/organizational skills.
• Ability to work alone (with prior training) or in teams.
• Required to work with small quantities of ethanol using appropriate PPE.

Skills to be gained: 

• Advanced understanding of biodiversity inventory workflows, ranging from field work to data publication.
• Applied knowledge of processing insect research specimens.
• Applied knowledge of using multiple biodiversity data management and publication platforms.
• Opportunities to further specialize in specimen imaging, taxonomic identification, specimen processing for genomic analysis, and to include other insect groups of interest.

Semester: Spring [2 credits would be ~6 hours per week for the semester]

Title: Herpetology Division Volunteer 

Project mentor:  Rafe Brown

Lab/Collection: KU Herpetology

Positions available:  1

Project Description:The KU Herpetology Division  is seeking a student to assist curator Rafe Brown and a graduate student curatorial assistant to curate (sort, identify to species, key out, and label) a new large collection of amphibian and reptile research specimens from the Philippines.

Skills needed:

• Interest in amphibians and reptiles
• Patience
• Attention to details
• Scheduling consistency.

Skills to be gained: 

• Understanding of the importance of collections and the curation steps necessary in their management

Apply by emailing Herpetology Curator Rafe Brown.

Title: Mammalogy Division Volunteer

Project mentor:  Dianna Krejsa

Lab/Collection: KU Mammalogy, Colella Lab 

Positions available:  1-2

Project Description:The student volunteer will learn basic specimen processing workflows, including but not limited to specimen preparation and skeletonization; processing osteological material through the dermestid beetle colony; cleaning and labeling bones; data entry and data cleaning for upload to database; printing specimen labels; packaging and installing specimens and their associated parts into the KU Mammalogy Research Collection. Students will also learn how the collection is organized and use that information to assist the Collection Manager in filling scientific loan requests. Once the student is proficient in each step of the specimen processing workflow, they may choose to lead processing of one accession (that is, a set of collected specimens from a trip) from start to finish. Options include: Bunker Resurvey trips to historically significant locations in Kansas, monthly surveys of the KU Field Station, or expeditions to Ecuador, Guatemala, Canada, or the Philippines.

Hours per week: 3-6 hours per week. Depending on scheduling availability, the student volunteer will start with specimen preparation (typically on Friday mornings) and can expand their skills into other parts of the workflow as available the rest of the week.

Skills needed:

• Attention to detail
• Consistent communication skills
• Comfortability with scientific examination and dissection of vertebrates
• Ability to handle biological materials (e.g., bones, tissue samples, study skins, frass/exuvia from the beetle colony with appropriate PPE). 
• No previous experience is required.

Skills to be gained: 

• Mammal specimen preparation
• Species identification
• Museum collection organization
• Parasite and osteological preservation methods
• Biodiversity data standards
• Database skills
• Optional fieldwork and mammal handling opportunities

Apply by emailing Mammalogy Collection Manager Dianna Krejsa.

Title: Museum Experience Volunteer

Project mentor:  Lynn Ward

Lab/Collection: Visitor Experience

Positions available:  1-2

Project Description:  Museum Experience Volunteers help keep the museum clean and comfortable for our guests to ensure their experience is a great one. Responsibilities include cleaning glass, signage, and railings throughout the museum's four floor of public exhibits, restocking pamphlets and brochures, straightening stools and benches, and picking up items visitors left behind.  

Apply to become a Museum Experience Volunteer.