How VIP courses work

• The BioSci department offers many VIP courses, highlighting the variety of innovative and collaborative research projects being pursued at ISU. Each VIP is led by different faculty. Explore the options below!
• Each VIP course is strengthened by the contributions of each student's diverse ideas, skills, and interests.
• You don’t need special expertise to join a VIP course. Beginners welcome!
• Each VIP course is set up as a unique section of BIOL 2280 (lower division), BIOL 4480 (upper division), and BIOL 5580 (graduate) in the course catalog to allow flexibility and long term engagement over multiple semesters, if a student wishes to continue in the same VIP course. Students may explore multiple VIP courses across different semesters.
• Students enroll and earn 1-2 credits in a semester at the 2000, 4000, or 5000 level. Each credit equals about 40 hours of work for the semester. Talk to the VIP faculty lead(s) about your interests and schedule to determine whether to take 1 or 2 credits.
• Students must have permission from a faculty lead to enroll. This requirement is to make sure students and faculty have communicated about the focus and expectations of the specific VIP course. To request an "instuctor approval" override, students should contact a faculty lead directly.
• VIP course credits typically count as elective course credits or research course credits. Consult your degree program and talk with your faculty advisor to determine how credits can be applied towards graduation requirements.
• To begin, explore the VIP course info below and then email a faculty lead for the VIP projects that interest you.