Hello everyone! I'm a high school junior who's interested in Penn State. I'm curious whether Penn State is classified as a research university, as I'm looking for opportunities to engage in research and hands-on experiences in the biological sciences. Can someone share their knowledge about the research opportunities available there? Thanks!
Hello! It's great that you're curious about research opportunities at Penn State. To answer your initial question, yes, Penn State is certainly considered a research university. In fact, it's classified as a 'R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity' institution under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, which means it's among the top tier of research universities in the United States.
As for research opportunities in the biological sciences, Penn State boasts a range of options for undergraduate students to get involved. You can find on-campus research opportunities, internships in local research facilities, or even national programs. Typical areas of research include molecular biology, genomics, wildlife conservation, and more. You'll find that faculty members are often receptive to having undergraduates work in their labs, and there are programs like the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Connection to help match you with potential research projects. Best of luck with your college search!
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