Williams Biology Research Winter

WSP 99's allow sophomores, juniors, or seniors to carry out independent projects during Winter Study. Information about 99's is available in the Course Catalog; the application forms for the various types of 99's can be found here . The deadline for submitting 99's to your faculty sponsor is September 27, 2007.

Students wishing to do a 99 that involves a biology lab or field research experience can propose to carry out a project in a faculty lab here at Williams or at another research center or university. Usually students propose a project that is designed with the help of their research supervisor, but they can also design a research project of their own and then find a faculty member willing to sponsor the research.

What you'll need to do to arrange a 99:

If you want to work at Williams, look at faculty members' research interests on their web pages to help you decide on a research area that interests you. Then speak to professors with whom you think you'd like to work to inquire whether there is room in their lab for another student during WSP and to inquire about the types of projects that would be available for you. If a faculty member agrees to accept you as a 99 student, he/she will serve as your 99 sponsor.
If you are interested in working off-campus, you'll have to take the initiative to contact researchers and obtain a position in a lab. You will also have to arrange for your living arrangements. A Williams faculty member will still serve as your sponsor even though you will be working in someone else's lab. A letter from the researcher will have to accompany your 99 application-this letter must indicate that your work will be supervised, that the project has educational merit. This supporting letter is due by December 1.
The completed 99 form must be submitted to the Williams faculty serving as your sponsor by September 27, 2006.

BIOL022 allows students (preference is given to first-years and sophomores) to carry out a research project in a faculty member's research lab during WSP. The student does not need to write a research proposal (as is required of a 99, but you do need to submit an application. It is ESSENTIAL that you discuss research options with the faculty members with whom you may like to work and get a commitment from one of those faculty members before submitting the application and registering for the course. More information is available on the application page.