BIOC 290 provides a great opportunity to get a head start on your senior thesis research. Although not mandatory for biochemistry students, research is highly recommended and can lead to presentations, publications, and graduation with distinction.

Approval process

1. Meet with faculty members in either biochemistry or elsewhere in the School of MCB to identify a faculty supervisor and possible project. Use the MCB faculty directory as a resource. After reading the information describing faculty research, select three or four potential laboratories. Do not send a blanket e-mail to the entire faculty.
2. With the help of your chosen faculty supervisor, complete the BIOC 290 Learning Agreement Form. This form includes learning outcomes, specific activities, and work expectations. The means of evaluation and credit to be awarded (1–5 hours per semester) are also specified in this document. The agreement must be reviewed and approved by the Associate Head of the Biochemistry Department. Incomplete forms will be returned.
3. Submit your signed Learning Agreement to room 417 RAL or email to hantak@illinois.edu as soon as possible. You only need one learning agreement form for MCB 290 credit throughout your time at UIUC, unless you switch labs.
4. The Department of Biochemistry will then authorize you to add BIOC 290 to your schedule. A signed copy of the Learning Agreement will be sent to both you and your faculty supervisor.

BIOC 492 provides the opportunity to work in a research laboratory during your senior year. Participation in the program is contingent upon completion of the biochemistry core courses MCB 354 and BIOC 455. Two semesters of BIOC 492 are required.

Approval Process

1. Finding a lab, filling out Learning Agreement. If you were in a BIOC 290 lab and plan to remain in the same lab, go directly to step 2 and fill out the necessary paperwork. If you're not already conducting BIOC 290 research, identify faculty members with whom you might like to work. Contact them to schedule an interview and discuss a possible project. Students are responsible for identifying and negotiating a position with a faculty member and having the faculty member sign the BIOC 492 Learning Agreement.
2. Register. In consultation with your research advisor, determine how you want to distribute your hours over the two required semesters. A minimum of 4 hours of BIOC 492, and a minimum of 6 hours total between BIOC 290 and 492, is needed to be considered for departmental distinction. Up to 7 hours of BIOC 492 can count toward your Advanced Technical Elective requirement in the biochemistry major. There is a limit of 6 hours of BIOC 492 per semester and a maximum of 10 hours of BIOC 492 can be taken over the two semesters. Register each semester for BIOC 492 by using your faculty advisor's individual CRN (course registration number), which can be obtained from the department of biochemistry office or by emailing hantak@illinois.edu. Note this CRN changes each semester.
3. Schedule. In consultation with your thesis advisor, establish a schedule for your work. It is important that you agree on a timetable and to any changes that may be required. Note, for thesis submission without consideration for distinction, please submit your thesis to your faculty supervisor and to the Biochemistry Undergraduate Program (send to hantak@illinois.edu) by 5pm of the last day of instruction in the semester you intend to graduate.
4. Grade. You must submit a thesis approved by your faculty supervisor in order to receive a grade and credit hours for the course. A deferred grade ("DFR") will be given for all semester grades in BIOC 492 until the thesis is presented. That is, when you take BIOC 492 in both the fall and spring semesters, the grade given at the end of the fall semester will be "DFR", not a letter grade. This "DFR" grade will be changed to a letter grade after your thesis has been deposited.
   NOTE: Grades for lab experiences do not count in your major GPA.
5. Honors. Biochemistry majors who satisfactorily complete BIOC 492 may be eligible for departmental honors. More information is below.

For third-year students

William T. and Lynn Jackson Scholar Award in Biochemistry

This monetary award provides, in part, a summer stipend for a Biochemistry major who will begin working on a BIOC 492 research project in a Biochemistry faculty laboratory during the summer before their senior year. Nominations require a recommendation letter from the research advisor describing the 492 project and the student's qualifications, a BIOC 492 Student Information Form, the student's resume and statement, and a copy of their unofficial transcript. Nomination deadline is mid-February.

For fourth-year students

Graduation with Distinction

Biochemistry majors who satisfactorily complete BIOC 492 may be eligible for departmental honors. Registration in BIOC 492 is required; substitution of MCB 492 or CHEM 499 is not permitted. Students must submit a BIOC 492 thesis and be nominated by their thesis advisor.

To qualify for graduation with distinction, you must be a Biochemistry major who (1) is registered for at least 6 hours of BIOC 492, (2) completes a senior thesis, and (3) is recommended for distinction by your thesis advisor. To be eligible, you must have an overall grade-point average of at least 3.25 and must be registered in BIOC 492. Recommendations for distinction are based on the quality of the thesis work and academic GPA. It is important that the thesis advisor comment on whether the results presented in the thesis are the sole work of the student or are a result of collaborative efforts. This should also be made clear in the thesis.

The decision on which level of distinction (Highest, High or Distinction) lies solely with the Awards Committee. Nomination deadline for fall 2023 is Monday, October 30 at 5pm. Deadline for spring 2024 will be in mid to late March.

Thesis awards

Thesis awards are available to BIOC 492 students who graduate in May. The winners and their achievements are recognized at the School of MCB Awards Ceremony, typically held on Reading Day each May. Students must be nominated by their BIOC 492 thesis advisor. Nomination deadline is mid-March.

William T. and Lynn Jackson Senior Thesis Award

This award is given to the senior student who presents the best Biochemistry thesis. The award, which includes a cash prize, is sponsored by Dr. William Jackson, a chemistry graduate of the University of Illinois.