1. About BRR

About BRR

Mission
Faculty/Staff
Learning Outcomes

BioResource Research (BRR) is a biosciences major centered around student research.

BRR majors:

  • take biosciences core courses;
  • complete an option, which is an interdisciplinary bioscience/agriculture/natural resource area of specialization;
  • do a 14-credit research project of their choice with a faculty mentor;
  • finish with a thesis and public seminar.

BRR provides students with a strong background in physical and biological sciences and deep knowledge in their upper-division area of specialization. The BRR research project, thesis and seminar provides outstanding professional preparation, making students highly competitive for entrance to challenging careers or professional and graduate schools.

What kind of research projects do BRR students do?

Extremely diverse! Currently, BRR students have research projects in seven OSU colleges: Agricultural Sciences; Earth, Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences; Engineering; Forestry; Pharmacy; Science; and Veterinary Medicine; as well as in several Agricultural Experiment Stations and federal agencies. Go to the individual page for each option to see examples of thesis titles.

What courses do I need to major in BRR?

SCIENCE AND MATH

Biology:

  • BI 221, 222, 223. *Principles of Biology (4,4,4)
  • BI 311. Genetics (4)

Chemistry:

  • CH 231/261, 232/262, 233/263. *General Chemistry (5,5,5)
  • CH 331, CH 332. Organic Chemistry (4,4)
  • CH 337. Organic Chemistry Lab (4)

Physics:

  • PH 201, PH 202, PH 203. *General Physics (5,5,5)

Statistics:

  • ST 351. Intro to Statistical Methods (4)

Math:

  • MTH 251 or 227. *Differential Calculus (4)
  • MTH 252. Integral Calculus (4)
 or MTH 228. Mathematical Ideas in Biology (4)

Biochemistry:

  • BB 450, BB 451. General Biochemistry (4,3)

BRR COURSES

  • BRR 100. Great Experiments in Bioresource Sciences (2)
  • BRR 200. Developing a Research Proposal: Theory and Practice (2)
  • BRR 401. Research (14)
  • BRR 403. ^Thesis (4)
 (WIC)
  • BRR 406. Data Presentations-Projects (1)
  • BRR 407. Seminar (1)
  • BRR 409. Teaching Practicum: Peer-mentoring (2)

OPTION COURSES: 27 credits of upper-division courses in your area of specialization (BRR Option)

REQUIRED BACC CORE CHOICES

  • Choose PHL 205. *Ethics (4) 
for your Western Culture
  • Choose WR 327 or 362. *Technical Writing (3) 
for your Writing II 

OTHER BACC CORE COURSES AND UNRESTRICTED ELECTIVES (For a total of 180 credits)

What makes BRR so great?

  • BRR is one of the top research-based undergraduate programs in the nation.
  • BRR has a terrific adviser.
  • Students are high achievers:
    • 50% have a GPA greater or equal to 3.25; almost a third are on the Dean's List.
    • 13% are in the Honors College.
    • Many double-major in related fields, or complete a minor.
  • By graduation, virtually all BRR students have presented their research at a scientific meeting, been awarded their own research or internship funding, been a co-author on a publication, or more than one of these.
  • BRR prepares students for graduate programs and medical school.
  • Almost a third of BRR students identify themselves as ethnic or racial minorities.
    • BRR Members of MANRRS (Minorities in Agricultural, Natural Resources and Related Sciences) have consistently been national competition winners and student leaders.
  • 100% of graduates find jobs or enter graduate/professional school within three months of graduating.
    • 60% go to graduate or professional school;
    • Others use their training to gain employment with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, environmental consulting and engineering, teaching, science outreach, non-profits, and governmental natural resource regulatory agencies.