Student Research
The Biology Department believes that participation in scientific research can be a valuable part of a student's undergraduate education. Biology majors may gain research experience by participating in faculty research projects, through summer programs and with other research institutions.
Our location in Los Angeles permits the student to have internship access to numerous world-class research, industrial, and medical facilities within a 45 minute drive from campus. About one-third of the graduates of our program conduct collaborative research with Loyola Marymount faculty or faculty at other institutions. Interdisciplinary coursework and research in other science and engineering departments is encouraged. Current research areas in which students are participating include yeast genetics, Drosophila genetics, developmental genetics, marine biology, plant molecular biology, animal physiology, the population genetics of spiders and plant ecological physiology.
Our students have access as undergraduates to top-of-the line research-grade instrumentation. Loyola Marymount students frequently publish the results of their research or present them at symposia. The Department hosts its own research symposium for all undergraduates doing research in the College to present their work. In addition, students from the Biology Department have been attending and presenting their work at the Regional Conference on Undergraduate Research in the Biological Sciences since 1984, the National Conference on Undergraduate Research since 1992 and the Southern California Conference on Undergraduate Research since its founding in 1993.
The Department has a regular seminar series with presentations from members of the faculty and researchers from the wider scientific community. Undergraduates, including freshmen, are encouraged to attend these seminars and participate in the discussion.