Fall 2026 · Utah Valley University

Introduction to Undergraduate Research

BIOL 2900R-201  ·  S-STEM Scholars  ·  Dr. Carl Hjelmen  ·  Fall 2026
Mon / Wed / Fri 3 Credits 15 Weeks S-STEM Scholars Only

Course Info

CourseBIOL 2900R-201
SemesterFall 2026
FormatM / W / F in-person
Prereq.S-STEM Scholarship & instructor approval
InstructorDr. Carl Hjelmen
OfficeSB 242b
EmailCarl.Hjelmen@uvu.edu
Download Syllabus

Questions & Contact

Email is the best way to reach me. Check the contact page for office hours and my calendar.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Discuss the benefits of engaging in undergraduate research
  2. Identify strategies for STEM career planning
  3. Prepare a project with a biology research mentor
  4. Understand the basics of research funding applications
  5. Understand what a graduate degree program entails
  6. Prepare scientific manuscripts and presentations
  7. Identify their own learning strategies and goals

Guest Lunches

Many Fridays feature a lunch with guest speakers. Attendance is required — great for networking (and free food).

Course Schedule

Subject to change — check Canvas for updates
Major deadline No class / break Reading Task due
1
W Aug. 19
F Aug. 21
Introduction, Syllabus & Other Business
Going Over Research Mentors
2
M Aug. 24
W Aug. 26
F Aug. 28
Discussion on Paper (Yu & Kuo 2017)
What Makes a Good Mentor
Rank Your Top Research Mentors
Paper Discussion Points
Yu & Kuo 2017
3
M Aug. 31
W Sep. 2
F Sep. 4
Effective Time Management
Make a Time Budget
4
M Sep. 7
W Sep. 9
F Sep. 11
Labor Day — No Class
Issues Facing Scholars
Campus Resources Available
Reflection Writing on These Issues
5
M Sep. 14
W Sep. 16
F Sep. 18
Applying for Funding
Working on Budgets
Identify a Funding Source & Make a Timeline
6
M Sep. 21
W Sep. 23
F Sep. 25
How to Read Scientific Papers
Summarize a Research Paper You Have Found
7
M Sep. 28
W Sep. 30
F Oct. 2
Finding Scientific Papers
Making Bibliographies
Download Zotero; Make a Bibliography
8
M Oct. 5
W Oct. 7
F Oct. 9
Experimental Design
9
M Oct. 12
W Oct. 14
F Oct. 16
Experimental Design (cont.)
Fall Break — No Class
Present on Your Experimental Design
10
M Oct. 19
W Oct. 21
F Oct. 23
Realities of Research
11
M Oct. 26
W Oct. 28
F Oct. 30
The Publication Process
Identify Differences in Journal Processes
12
M Nov. 2
W Nov. 4
F Nov. 6
Giving Effective Presentations
Signed Mentor Contract Due
13
M Nov. 9
W Nov. 11
F Nov. 13
Getting the Most Out of a Conference
Identify a Conference & Timeline
14
M Nov. 16
W Nov. 18
F Nov. 20
Building & Preparing an Effective CV
Find CVs of Other Scientists
Work on CVs Together
—
M Nov. 23
F Nov. 27
Thanksgiving Break — No Class
15
M Nov. 30
W Dec. 2
F Dec. 4
Other Questions
Next Steps Moving Forward
Presentations of Proposed Research
🏆 Presentation of Research Proposal
Major Deadlines at a Glance
Signed Mentor Contract
Due Nov. 6
Research Proposal Presentation
Dec. 4

Reading & PDF Repository

Readings, worksheets & program resources

Discussion readings and program resources for BIOL 2900R S-STEM scholars, all in one place.

Yu & Kuo 2017
Ten simple rules to make the most out of your undergraduate research career
Bettmann
Choosing a Research Project and Research Mentor
Choosing a Lab
Relevant information to choose a lab
Cooper et. al 2020
An Exploratory Study of Students with Depression in Undergraduate Research Experiences
Forgettable Poster
How to give the scientific poster that everyone forgets
Schwartz
Importance of Stupidity in Scientific Research
Postdocs as Mentors
Reflections on Peer Mentoring
Turbek et al. 2016
Scientific Writing Made Easy
Social Media for Scientists
Editorial
Erren and Bourne
Ten Simple Rules for a Good Poster Presentation