Undergraduate programs in biology on this campus have been given big boosts by grants from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Undergraduate Biological Science Education Program. Two consecutive grants, totaling $2.2 million, have had an enormous impact on undergraduate education in biology.
Under the direction of Dr. Rod Murphey, Professor of Biology and Director of the Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, the grants have made possible dramatic improvements in equipment available to undergrads, and assisted in development of the Microbiology and Molecular Biology Laboratory Support Services which runs a state of the art lab for molecular studies. They also have supported expansion of the research experiences for undergraduates. Students at all levels, from freshmen to seniors, are now working in faculty research labs during the academic year, and have the opportunity to spend 10 weeks during the summer on research projects in chemistry, biology, neuroscience, and molecular biology. Students in these summer Research Experience for Undergraduates programs receive $250 per week; they work full time in faculty labs and participate in seminars with other students and faculty. During the last academic year, 170 students worked in over 60 labs.

The importance of the undergraduate research experience is confirmed by our own survey of recent graduates. Virtually all students who have had this experience have gone on to graduate or medical school, or have obtained research positions after graduation.
The grants have also supported the development of the Biology Computer Resource Center (BCRC) (see article on page 3) and a variety of outreach programs, including a Summer Institute for High School Teachers administered by Dr. Bruce Byers, and special programs for high school students, particularly those from Springfield schools.