A wide range of opportunities are available for students majoring in the Biological Sciences to gain experience outside of the context of the traditional lecture and laboratory course work that is offered by the department. Among the nationally-recognized faculty in the department, many lead externally-funded laboratories where students find research positions and thus gain valuable experience under the guidance of their faculty mentors. Students engaged in research (BIO 497 Honors Research or BIO 498 Undergraduate Research) may earn academic credit, or in some cases students may be remunerated for their research work if their mentors have grant funds for that purpose.