Life Sciences Undergraduate Research Project

About

In this six-week course you will work with University academics to complete an independent research project in Life Sciences. Guided by your supervisor, you will be lab-based, carrying out experiments to support your research. You will learn and develop skills including: independent experimental design and execution, critical thinking, data analysis and interpretation, planning and time management, scientific writing and communication. You will also attend weekly research seminars, developing your research skills and knowledge, and immersing yourself in International Summer School research community.
Your project will see you using University’s outstanding research facilities, as well as working with our world-class academic staff. You will work closely with your supervisor to produce a scientific report and give an oral presentation of your work to your peers.

To begin with, you will prepare a summary of the known literature around your project in collaboration with your supervisor. You will get to know, analyse and evaluate the literature related to your project, and develop the skills required to carry out research in your specialist area.

The research projects for 2026 are as follows: Mesophiles and Thermophiles in the Urban Environment, Bacteria in Freshwater, Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model Organism for Genetic Screens and Genetic engineering for agriculture in a changing climate

Target group

- GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).
- you should be currently enrolled at an international higher education institution.
- you should be majoring in a Biological Science.
- you should ideally have completed 2nd year of your Undergraduate Degree

If your first language is not English, you must meet our minimum proficiency level:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) overall score of 6.0, with no sub test less than 5.5  (if English is not an applicant’s first language) and a GPA of not less than 3.0
We also accept equivalent scores in other recognised qualifications such as ibTOEFL, CAE, CPE and more

Course aim

The aims of the course are to provide experience in the planning and execution of a short research project, data analysis and interpretation, the production of a written report and presenting and discussing research findings to staff and peers.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

- Propose a preliminary list of goals to be achieved during the project in collaboration with the project supervisor.
- Critically appraise the literature related to the research project.
- Apply research skills appropriate to the area of specialisation.
- Deliver a clear, well-constructed oral presentation describing your research to your peers.
- Compose a cogent, clear and concise report summarising their findings and the state of research in your chosen field

Fee info