Research courses provide students with the opportunity to engage in structured, hands-on research experiences under faculty guidance. These focus on developing research skills such as data collection, analysis, critical thinking, and scholarly communication. Research courses are a valuable way to gain practical experience, deepen subject knowledge, and prepare for advanced study or careers in research-driven fields.
Research Courses
Research in the Classroom
Explore Courses
This course provides a "behind the scenes" look at how research is conducted at Iowa State while you draft applications to summer research programs across the nation. Participating in this class will giv eyou the chance to learn how you can prepare for careers in research, learn strategies for identifying mentors on campus, gain insight into national science scholarships, and apply to summer fellowships across the nation.
This course is designed specifically for students with little to no experience in research and will help you learn how you can earn money on campus by working as a research assistant or travel to new cities through summer undergraduate research programs.
Methods of protein and nucleic acid computations on structures and sequences, mechanisms, and computations to infer mechanisms and understand allostery. Project-oriented course to learn how to perform computations/simulations on system of your choice to help you broaden your research
Survey of qualitative and quantitative methods with an emphasis on contextual user-centered research. Integration of user data collection, visualization, and synthesis as a source for design. Experience of a small-scale research practice related to industrial design.
Courses by College
Additional research courses include major-specific 290 and 490 courses available through your major. Click on your college below to explore available courses.
- Agricultural Biochemistry
- Agricultural Business
- Agricultural Systems Technology
- Agricultural and Life Sciences Education
- Agronomy
- Animal Science
- Biology
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Natural Resource Ecology and Management
- Genetics
- Global Resource Systems
- Horticulture
- Industrial Technology
- Microbiology
- Nursing
- Anthropology
- Arabic
- Biochemistry
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
- Biological/Pre-Medical Illustration
- Biology
- Biophysics
- Chemistry
- Chinese
- Communication Studies
- Computer Science
- Economics
- English
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- French
- Genetics
- Geology
- German
- History
- Classical Studies
- U.S. Latino/a Studies
- International Studies
- Journalism and Mass Communications
- Latin
- Linguistics
- Meteorology
- Music
- Performing Arts
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Relations
- Religious Studies
- Russian Studies
- Sociology
- Software Engineering
- Spanish
- Speech Communication
- Statistics
- Theatre
- Women's and Gender Studies
Concurrent Degrees
For some students, engaging in undergraduate research may lead them to choose to work on their graduate degrees while still an undergraduate student at Iowa State. Concurrent degrees provide the opportunity for well-qualified students to begin their graduate studies before completing their undergraduate degree in order to complete their graduate degree on an accelerated timeline.
- Accounting BS/MACC
- Aerospace Engineering BS/MBA or MEN/MS
- Agricultural Biochemistry BS/MS
- Agricultural Engineering and Biosystems BS/MS or MBA
- Agricultural Systems Technology MS/MBA or MS
- Agronomy BS/MBA
- Animal Science BS/MS
- Apparel, Merchandising, and Design BS/MS
- Biochemistry BS/MS or Graduate Certificate
- Biological Systems Engineering BS/MBA or MS
- Biophysics BS/MS
- Chemical and Biological Engineering BS/MBA or MENG
- Chemistry BA or BS/MBA or MS
- Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering BS/MBA or MS
- Computer Science BS/MS or MBA
- Electrical and Computer Engineering BS/Graduate Certificate or MENG or MS or MBA
- Engineering Management BS/MEN
- Event Management BS/MS
- Family Finance, Housing, and Policy BS/Graduate Certificate or MS
- Food Science BS/MBA
- Geology BS/MBA or MS
- Hospitality Management BS/MS
- Industrial Design BID/MBA
- Industrial Engineering BS/MENG or MBA or MS
- Industrial Technology BS/MBA or MS
- Interior Design BFA/MA
- Materials Engineering BS/MBA or MS
- Meteorology BS/MBA or MS
- Nutritional Science BS/MS
- Psychology BS/MS
- Software Engineering BS/MS or MENG or MBA
- Systems Engineering BS/MEN