Independent research
Our department offers independent research opportunities for students both during the academic year and during the summer months.

During the academic year students can elect to take the course Independent Research and Study (CHE, BCH or PHY-490) for up to four credits per semester. Prior to the start of each semester in which research credits are obtained, the student and their faculty research mentor develop a plan for the student's researches. This plan will outline the research project, relevant past research and expected results. Once approved by the department, the plan is also submitted to the Dean of the College and/or the Associate Dean of Science. During the course of the semester, it is expected that the student and faculty mentor maintain a regular contact to discuss the student's progress. Towards the end of the semester the student is expected to submit a written report of the results of their researches. They are also expected to present a poster at the Science Hall poster session which is held at the end of the semester right after final exams.   Up twelve credits of a 490 course may be counted towards graduation.

Summer Research opportunities are also generally available in our depe in our department aside from the summer internships which are obtained from outside sources. Summer research opportunities in our department provide a student with the experience for full immersion into research. It is not uncommon for students to participate in summer independent research at Rider in the summer before their senior year in order to initiate work on a project for which they intend to write an honors thesis. Summer research can be done for college credit as above. However, more commonly, individual faculty members are able provide summer research students with a salary for their work. Often our faculty members use research grant money to support research students.

Honors Thesis 
Given an independent research of sufficient depth, a student may also develop an honors thesis in their senior year based upon the work done during their independent research studies. An honors thesis should have more breadth than the usual end-of-semester report. Learn more about the requirements to graduate with departmental honors.

For more information about the research opportunities in our department, visit the individual Faculty Bios to see read about their research projects.  

We strongly encourage all students to take the opportunity to participate in independent undendent undergraduate research with mentoring from one of our faculty members. Quite often, these researches have led to student presentations at local, regional and national scientific meetings. In many cases this research is eventaully published in the scientific literature.