Research Opportunities & Experiential Learning
Involvement in Research and Experiential Learning are integral to an undergraduate education in biology and marine biology. Dalhousie University is one of 15 research-intensive universities in Canada and offers many opportunities for hands-on learning. Below are several courses and two programs designed to allow students to conduct research and gain scientific skills by working outside-the-classroom in research labs, industry or government.
Please refer to the Academic Calendar for more information on these courses and refer to the Academic Timetable for a list of courses offered in a particular term.
Independent Research Courses
These courses provide students an opportunity to conduct supervised, independent research in Biology or Marine Biology, during a single term. Students interested in these courses are responsible for finding a supervisor, with whom they will develop a course outline. The course outline establishes the plan for the original research and the method of evaluation, which must include a formal research paper. The course outline must be submitted, to the course coordinator, for approval no later than one week after the start of the term in which the student wishes to register. The course outline must be approved by the course coordinator before the student is permitted to register.
- BIOL 4806 Independent Research I
- BIOL 4807 Independent Research II
- BIOL 4809 Independent Research III
- MARI 4806 Independent Research I
- MARI 4807 Independent Research II
- MARI 4809 Independent Research III
Experiential Learning Courses
Experiential Learning recognizes skills learned outside the scheduled curriculum. To register in this course, a student must find a suitable supervisor, and determine what skills will be learned. Prior to registration a learning agreement outlining the skills and timeline must be returned to the program coordinator. Learning agreements can be accepted until the add/ drop date of the term. Only one experiential learning course can be completed as part of the degree program.
Special Topics
Special Topics enables students to study an area of Biology or Marine Biology not covered in other courses. Students should consult with a faculty member to arrange the topic of study and develop an outline of course content, which must be approved by the course coordinator before the student can register. The course outline must be submitted for approval no later than one week after the start of the term in which the student wishes to register.
- BIOL 4811 Special Topics
SEASIDE summer courses
The SEASIDE program offers summer courses providing students with hands-on training in species identification, sampling, conducting research, and other practical skills. SEASIDE website
Co-op Program
The Co-op program combines academic study with paid career-related work experience.
Honours Program
The Honours program gives students the opportunity to conduct a large research project over the course of a full academic year.