Program Overview

Introduction to the First-year Research Immersion Program

The First-year Research Immersion (FRI) program at Binghamton University is designed to provide students with an authentic research experience in their first year. This program is a unique opportunity for students to engage in research projects, work in teams, and develop their research skills.

Course Sequence

The FRI program consists of a three-semester sequence of courses.

• In the first semester, students take a 2-credit course that introduces them to research methods and techniques.
  • This course is co-taught by FRI Research Educators and focuses on team projects that explore real science problems through pre-proposal development.
  • The semester culminates in a public poster session where students present their research.
• In the second semester, students take a 4-credit course that provides conceptual and technical knowledge unique to their chosen research stream.
  • This course helps students develop a research proposal and prepares them for the research project they will undertake in the third semester.
• In the third semester, students take a 4-credit course where they conduct a team research project and develop a journal-style research manuscript.
  • The semester concludes with a public poster session where students present their research findings.

FRI Courses

The FRI program includes several courses that are designed to provide students with a comprehensive research experience.

• HARP 170 FRI Research Methods Seminar: This 2-credit course is taken in the fall of the first year and fulfills the Oral Communication "O" general education requirement.
  • There is a fee of $38.50 associated with this course.
• Research-Stream Specific Course Sequences: Each research stream has its own specific course sequence, which is outlined in the program details.

Research Streams

The FRI program offers several research streams, each with its own unique focus and course sequence.

• Biogeochemistry: This research stream explores the interactions between living organisms and the Earth's physical environment.
  • Courses: GEOL/ENVI 234 (4 credits, second semester) and GEOL/ENVI 334 (4 credits, third semester)
• Biomedical Chemistry: This research stream focuses on the application of chemical principles to medical research and practice.
  • Courses: CHEM 261 (4 credits, second semester) and CHEM 362 (4 credits, third semester)
• Clean Energy: This research stream explores the development of sustainable energy sources and technologies.
  • Courses: CHEM 211 (4 credits, second semester) and CHEM 311/PHYS 335 (4 credits, third semester)
• Community & Global Public Health: This research stream examines the social and environmental factors that influence public health.
  • Courses: ANTH 206 (4 credits, second semester) and ANTH 306 (4 credits, third semester)
• Drug Discovery: This research stream focuses on the development of new drugs and therapies for human diseases.
  • Courses: CHEM 212 (4 credits, second semester) and CHEM 312 (4 credits, third semester)
• Ecological Genetics: This research stream explores the genetic basis of ecological phenomena and the impact of environmental factors on genetic variation.
  • Courses: BIOL 241 (4 credits, second semester) and BIOL 341 (4 credits, third semester)
• Environmental Visualization: This research stream uses visualization techniques to understand and communicate environmental data.
  • Courses: ENVI/GEOL 206 (4 credits, second semester) and ENVI/GEOL 306 (4 credits, third semester)
• Image & Acoustic Signals Analysis: This research stream focuses on the analysis and interpretation of image and acoustic signals in various fields.
  • Courses: EECE/CS 115 (4 credits, second semester) and EECE/CS 215 (4 credits, third semester)
• Microbial Biofilms in Human Health: This research stream explores the role of microbial biofilms in human health and disease.
  • Courses: BIOL 225 (4 credits, second semester) and BIOL 323 (4 credits, third semester)
• Molecular & Biomedical Anthropology: This research stream applies anthropological principles to the study of human biology and disease.
  • Courses: ANTH 205 (4 credits, second semester) and ANTH 305 (4 credits, third semester)
• Neuroscience: This research stream focuses on the study of the nervous system and its functions.
  • Courses: PSYC 345 (4 credits, second semester) and PSYC 364 (4 credits, third semester)

BIOL 115 Equivalency

The Research Stream part 1 course for certain research streams satisfies the requirement of BIOL 115, Introductory Biology Laboratory.

• These research streams include Biofilms, Biomedical Chemistry, Ecological Genetics, Molecular & Biomedical Anthropology, Neuroscience, and Community & Global Public Health.

CHEM 106 Equivalency

The Research Stream part 1 course for certain research streams satisfies the requirement of CHEM 106, Introductory Chemistry Laboratory.

• These research streams include Biogeochemistry, Clean Energy, Drug Discovery, and Environmental Visualization.

Writing Studies Minor Course Equivalency

The second and third semester courses for each research stream can be used in combination to count as one approved course for the Writing Studies Minor.

FRI Policy Regarding Student Progress

Students are expected to engage fully in the FRI projects, complete all assignments in the FRI courses satisfactorily, and demonstrate a steadily increasing ability to engage in research-specific projects as they move through the three-semester FRI sequence.

• Students who fail to meet these standards will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Binghamton Scholars Curriculum Considerations

The FRI Program is not directly related to the Binghamton University Scholars Program.

• However, certain Scholars requirements are met upon completion of specific FRI courses.
• The Scholars III requirement will be met upon successful completion of one of the third semester FRI courses.
• Scholars enrolled in the FRI Program and taking the required FRI courses may optionally delay taking their SCHL 280 courses for up to one year if so desired.