If you thought studying science meant sparkling labs and stainless steel -- think Mr. Clean in a blinding white lab coat -- fuhgeddabout it. 

At America's Lutheran colleges and universities, you'll learn about biology, chemistry, geology, physics by getting your hands dirty and exploring, right along with your professors.

Most colleges give you only a brief introduction to research, but where are you going to obtain in-depth research?

With a team of undergraduate students, Crozier is working on a more accurate and efficient Source Tracking Method (STM). This STM will provide a method of determining the source of water-born bacteria. Determining the source of bacterial contamination is essential to preventing water-born disease in disaster areas and developing countries. Current methods are not efficient and often inaccurate. The STM the group is developing is now at a point where students are researching patent information.

It is a source of pride to Crozier that undergraduate students are involved in graduate-level research. Some of the students, now seniors, have been involved in the research project since their freshman year.

One of Roanoke College’s many research opportunities is the Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (URAP). This program provides selected first-year students the opportunity to become involved in a professor’s research. The student is matched to a professor and provided a stipend for the semester’s work. This opportunity gives them direct access to realistic lab work and often by the end of their college experience they have developed their own research projects.

URAP is simply one of the many opportunities that exist at Roanoke. During the school year students can opt to participate in research as an independent project or honor’s project. For those interested in summer research, each department has a unique summer scholars program, which often includes a stipend of some sorts. No matter the program you choose, one thing is certain, you will emerge Independent and confident, having had the experience of your life.