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Overview of FRI Program

Students receive course credit for each semester's work, which applies to their degree requirements. To learn more about which classes are required for their major, students can sign in to DegreeWorks. See below for specific information regarding FRI coursework and credit received.

FRI Courses

HARP 170 FRI Research Methods Seminar

In the fall of their first year, FRI students take the 2 credit HARP 170 FRI Research Methods Seminar along with the regular course load (typically a total of 16-18 credits).  HARP 170 fulfills a Oral Communication "O" general education requirement. There is a fee of $38.50 associated with the HARP 170 course. Our experience with FRI students is that this overall course load of 16-18 credits is quite manageable for the first semester.

Research-Stream Specific Course Sequences

The table below provides specific course information for each research stream. There is also information about how each course counts towards some majors but this list is not exhaustive. Please visit FRI academic advising to determine how your FRI courses will count toward your major requirements.

There is a fee of $150 associated with each research stream course. The format of the research stream courses is 2 hours of lecture/lab meeting and 6 hours of lab work each week.

• Biogeochemistry

  GEOL/ENVI 234 Biogeochemistry Research Stream pt 1 (4 credits in second semester, spring - fulfills general education information literacy "I" & laboratory science "L" requirements). The research stream is part of the FRI program which provides students with an authentic research experience through a combination of lecture and laboratory sessions. About 2 hours of lecture/lab meeting and 6 hours of lab work per week. 

  Due to the laboratory portion of this research stream, CHEM 106 (introductory chemistry laboratory course) requirement is waived.

  GEOL/ENVI 334 Biogeochemistry Research Stream pt 2 (4 credits in third semester, fall - fulfills general education critical thinking and reasoning "T", laboratory science "L" & composition "C" requirements). The research stream is part of the FRI program which provides students with an authentic research experience through a combination of lecture and laboratory sessions. About 2 hours of lecture/lab meeting and 6 hours of lab work per week. 

  For geology majors: GEOL/ENVI 234 can take the place of any 100-level geology course required of majors. GEOL/ENVI 334 can take the place of GEOL 342 or GEOL 370.

  For environmental studies majors: GEOL/ENVI 234 can take the place of either ENVI 201 (requirement B) or an introductory methods course (requirement E) but not both. GEOL/ENVI 334 will fulfill one of the five required upper-level courses (requirement K).

  For both geology and environmental studies majors, see the geology or environmental studies advisor for these courses to count toward the major.

  Explore Biogeochemistry

• Biomedical Chemistry

  CHEM 261 – Biomedical Chemistry Research Stream pt 1 (4 credits in second semester, spring – fulfills general education information literacy "I" & laboratory science "L" requirements).  The biomedical chemistry research stream is part of the FRI program which provides students with an authentic research experience in biochemistry research through a combination of lecture and laboratory sessions. 

  Due to the laboratory portion of this research stream, BIOL 115 (introductory biology laboratory course) requirement is waived.

  CHEM 362 – Biomedical Chemistry Stream Research pt 2 (4 credits in third semester, fall - fulfills general education critical thinking and reasoning "T", laboratory science "L" & composition "C" requirements).  The biomedical chemistry research stream is part of the FRI program which provides students with an authentic research experience in biochemistry research through a combination of lecture (2 hrs/week) and laboratory sessions (minimum of 6 hrs/week). 

  For chemistry majors: CHEM 261 and 362 can count toward science electices and CHEM 362 can count toward chemistry elective required for the major. 

  For biochemistry majors: CHEM 261 and CHEM 362 together can substitute for two requirements of the Biochemistry BS major: BCHM 425 Molecular Biology Lab and BCHM 480 Senior Seminar. Request this substitution through your Research Educator.

  For biology majors: CHEM 362 can be used to satisfy 4 credits of upper-level BIOL and one laboratory. Students must see a Biology Advisor to obtain these credits.

  For neuroscience majors: CHEM 261 and 362 can count toward science/math electives and one required lab. See neuroscience advising to obtain these credits.

  Explore Biomedical Chemistry

• Clean Energy

  CHEM 211 – Clean Energy Research Stream pt 1 (4 credits in second semester, spring - fulfills general education information literacy "I" & laboratory science "L" requirements).  The clean energy research stream is part of the FRI program which provides students with an authentic research experience in chemistry, physics and materials science research through a combination of lecture and laboratory sessions. 

  Due to the laboratory portion of this research stream, CHEM 106 (introductory chemistry laboratory course) requirement is waived.

  CHEM 311/PHYS 335 - Clean Energy Research Stream pt 2 (4 credits in third semester, fall - fulfills general education critical thinking and reasoning "T", laboratory science "L" & composition "C" requirements).  The clean energy research stream is part of the FRI program which provides students with an authentic research experience in chemistry, physics and materials science research through a combination of lecture (2 hrs/week) and laboratory sessions (minimum of 6 hrs/week). 

  For chemistry majors: CHEM 211 and 311 can count toward science electices and CHEM 311 can count toward chemistry elective required for the major. 

  For physics majors: CHEM 211 and CHEM 311/PHYS 335 fulfill the CHEM 111 requirement. Contact the physics department to request this fulfillment.

  This stream is available to both Harpur and Watson admitted students.

  Explore Clean Energy

• Community & Global Public Health

  ANTH 206 - Community & Global Public Health Research Stream pt 1 (4 credits in second semester, spring - fulfills general education information literacy "I" & laboratory science "L" requirements).  This  research stream is part of the FRI program which provides students with an authentic research experience in this area of research through a combination of lecture and laboratory sessions. About 2 hours of lecture/lab meeting and 6 hours of lab work per week. 

  Due to the laboratory portion of this research stream, BIOL 115 (introductory biology laboratory course) requirement is waived.

  ANTH 306 - Community & Global Public Health Research Stream pt 2 (4 credits in third semester, fall - fulfills general education critical thinking and reasoning "T", laboratory science "L" & composition "C" requirements).  This research stream is part of the FRI program which provides students with an authentic research experience in this area of research through a combination of lecture (2 hrs/week) and laboratory sessions (minimum of 6 hrs/week). 

  For biology majors: ANTH 306 can be used to satisfy 4 credits of upper-level BIOL and one laboratory for Biology majors. Students would need to see a Biology Advisor to obtain their credits.

  Explore Community & Global Public Health

• Drug Discovery

  CHEM 212  FRI Drug Discovery pt 1 (4 credits in second semester, spring - fulfills general education information literacy "I" & laboratory science "L" requirements). This research stream is part of the FRI program which provides students with an authentic research experience focused on identifying new drug leads that can be used for the treatment of human diseases, through a combination of lecture and laboratory sessions. These topics will be covered in preparation for and within the context of research projects conducted in the FRI Drug Discovery research stream courses. 

  Due to the laboratory portion of this research stream, CHEM 106 (introductory chemistry laboratory course) requirement is waived.

  CHEM 312 FRI Drug Discovery pt 2 (4 credits in third semester, fall - fulfills general education critical thinking and reasoning "T", laboratory science "L" & composition "C" requirements). This research stream is part of the FRI program which provides students with an authentic research experience focused on identifying new drug leads that can be used for the treatment of human diseases, through a combination of lecture and laboratory sessions. These topics will be covered in preparation for and within the context of research projects conducted in the FRI Drug Discovery research stream courses. 

  For chemistry majors: CHEM 212 and 312 can count toward science electices and CHEM 312 can count toward chemistry elective required for the major. 

• Ecological Genetics

  BIOL 241 FRI Ecological Genetics I (4 credits in second semester, spring - fulfills general education information literacy "I" & laboratory science "L" requirements). FRI Ecological Genetics pt 1 is part of the FRI program which provides students with an authentic research experience in genetics at biochemical, cellular and/or organismal levels, through a combination of lecture and laboratory sessions. These topics will be covered in preparation for and within the context of research projects conducted in the FRI Ecological Genetics research stream courses. 

  Due to the laboratory portion of this research stream, BIOL 115 (introductory biology laboratory course) requirement is waived.

  BIOL 341 FRI Ecological Genetics II (4 credits in third semester, fall - fulfills general education critical thinking and reasoning "T", laboratory science "L" & composition "C" requirements) FRI Ecological Genetics pt 2 is part of the FRI program which provides students with an authentic research experience in genetics at biochemical, cellular and/or organismal levels, through a combination of lecture and laboratory sessions. These topics will be covered in preparation for and within the context of research projects conducted in the FRI Ecological Genetics research stream courses. 

  For biology majors: BIOL 341 automatically counts as a 300-level lecture 4-credit course with a laboratory component required for the major.

  Explore Ecological Genetics

• Environmental Visualization

  ENVI/GEOL 206 – Environmental Visualization Research Stream pt 1 (4 credits in second semester, spring - fulfills general education information literacy "I" & laboratory science "L" requirements).  The environmental visualization stream is part of the FRI program which provides students with an authentic research experience in this area of research through a combination of lecture and laboratory sessions. 

  Due to the laboratory portion of this research stream, CHEM 106 (introductory chemistry laboratory course) requirement is waived.

  ENVI/GEOL 306   – Environmental Visualization Research Stream pt 2 (4 credits in third semester, fall - fulfills general education critical thinking and reasoning "T", laboratory science "L" & composition "C" requirements).  The environmental visualization stream is part of the FRI program which provides students with an authentic research experience in this area of research through a combination of lecture (2 hrs/week) and laboratory sessions (minimum of 6 hrs/week). 

  For geology and environmental studies majors: See Geology and Environmental Studies Advisors for how these courses can count toward your major.

  Explore Environmental Visualization

• Image & Acoustic Signals Analysis

  EECE/CS 115 FRI Image & Acoustic Signal Research Stream pt 1 (4 credits in second semester, spring - fulfills general education information literacy "I" & laboratory science "L" requirements). This is one of two lecture‐lab courses of a 2‐semester sequence for FRI students in Image and Acoustic Signals Analysis.   Computing skills in MATLAB and Unix and introduction to computer programming.   Technical writing using LaTeX. Students will learn research techniques while gaining understanding of research problems in this area.   

  EECE/CS 215 FRI Image & Acoustic Signal Research Stream pt 2 (4 credits in third semester, fall - fulfills general education critical thinking and reasoning "T", laboratory science "L" & composition "C" requirements).  This is the second of two lecture‐lab courses of a 2‐semester sequence for FRI students in Image and Acoustic Signals Analysis.   Computer programming in C, and selected topics in multimedia signal processing and computer vision.  Students will learn research techniques while gaining understanding of research problems in this area.  

  For electrical & computer engineering majors: EECE 215 substitutes for CS 211.

  For Computer Science majors: HARP 170 counts towards 60 credits of required liberal arts and science courses. The CS major requires one course that meets the "C" general education requirement which would be fulfilled with the EECE/CS 215 course. The CS major requires MATH 323 (Calculus III) or a science elective that meets the "L" general education requirement  which would be fulfilled with completion of EECE/CS 115 or EECE/CS 215.

  This stream is available to Watson admitted students only.

  Explore Image & Acoustic Signals Analysis
• Microbial Biofilms in Human Health

  BIOL 225 Research in Microbial Biofilms pt 1 (4 credits in second semester, spring - fulfills general education information literacy "I" & laboratory science "L" requirements). This is one of two lecture‐lab courses of a 2‐semester sequence for FRI students. Students will be introduced to biofilms in general and the physiology, ecology, and other hallmarks of biofilms, and learn microbial biofilm techniques while gaining understanding of biofilm research problems.  

  Due to the laboratory portion of this research stream, BIOL 115 (introductory biology laboratory course) requirement is waived.

  BIOL 323 Biofilm Research Stream pt 2 (4 credits in third semester, fall - fulfills general education critical thinking and reasoning "T", laboratory science "L" & composition "C" requirements). The biofilm research stream is part of the FRI program which provides students with an authentic research experience in microbial biofilm research through a combination of lecture (2 hrs/week) and laboratory sessions (minimum of 6 hrs/week). 

  For biology majors: BIOL 323 automatically counts as a 300-level lecture 4-credit courses required for the major and a laboratory  in area of "cell and molecular".

  For psychology majors: BIOL 225 and BIOL 323 can count toward math/science electives toward psychology major 

  Explore Microbial Biofilms in Human Health
• Molecular & Biomedical Anthropology

  ANTH 205 Molecular Anthropology Research Stream pt 1 (4 credits in second semester, spring – fulfills general education information literacy "I" & laboratory science "L" requirements).  The molecular & biomedical anthropology research stream is part of the FRI program which provides students with an authentic research experience in this area of research through a combination of lecture and laboratory sessions. 

  Due to the laboratory portion of this research stream, BIOL 115 (introductory biology laboratory course) requirement is waived.

  ANTH 305 Molecular Anthropology Research Stream pt 2 (4 credits in third semester, fall - fulfills general education critical thinking and reasoning "T", laboratory science "L" & composition "C" requirements).  The biomedical chemistry research stream is part of the FRI program which provides students with an authentic research experience in this area of research through a combination of lecture (2 hrs/week) and laboratory sessions (minimum of 6 hrs/week). 

  For biology majors: ANTH 305 can be used to satisfy 4 credits of upper-level BIOL and one laboratory. Students would need to see a Biology Advisor to obtain their credits.

  For psychology majors: ANTH 205 and 305 can count toward science/math electives.

  Explore Molecular & Biomedical Anthropology

• Neuroscience

  PSYC 345 Neuroscience Research Stream pt 1 (4 credits in second semester, spring – fulfills general education information literacy "I" & laboratory science "L" requirements). The neuroscience research stream is part of the FRI program which provides students with an authentic research experience in neuroscience research through a combination of lecture and laboratory sessions. 

  Due to the laboratory portion of this research stream, BIOL 115 (introductory biology laboratory course) requirement is waived.

  PSYC 364 Neuroscience Research Stream pt 2 (4 credits in third semester, fall - fulfills general education critical thinking and reasoning "T", laboratory science "L" & composition "C" requirements). The neuroscience research stream is part of the FRI program which provides students with an authentic research experience in neuroscience research through a combination of lecture (2 hrs/week) and laboratory sessions (minimum of 6 hrs/week). 

  For neuroscience and psychology majors: PSYC 345 is equivalent to PSYC 344, and PSYC 364 is equivalent to PSYC 363, or PSYC 357.

  For biology majors: PSYC 364 can be used to satisfy 4 credits of upper-level BIOL and one laboratory. Students would need to see a Biology Advisor to obtain their credits.

  Explore Neuroscience

BIOL 115 Equivalency

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

1. Biofilms BIOL 225
2. Biomedical Chemistry CHEM 261
3. Ecological Genetics BIOL 241
4. Molecular & Biomedical Anthropology ANTH 205
5. Neuroscience PSYC 345
6. Community & Global Public Health ANTH 206

BIOL 115 is a required course for the neuroscience, biology and biochemistry majors as well as a requirement for pre-health students. Note that students who completed BIOL 117 or 118 before fall 2018 are not required to take BIOL 115.

 
PRE-HEALTH students: Due to this equivalency, these courses satisfy the introductory biology laboratory professional school requirement. Quote from Dr. Thomas Langhorne, Director of Pre-Health Services: "If you are enrolled in one of these FRI laboratories (BIOL 225, BIOL 241; CHEM 261; ANTH 205, ANTH 206; PSYC 345) you do not have to enroll in BIOL 115. These courses satisfy the requirement of BIOL 115 Introductory Biology Laboratory and are annotated accordingly in the University Bulletin. As such, they satisfy the professional school admission requirement for introductory biology with laboratory." 

Therefore, the FRI program, Harpur Advising, Pre-health Advising, and the Biology Department advise students who complete the Research Stream part I course in these six research streams to NOT enroll in BIOL 115.

CHEM 106 Equivalency

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

1. Biogeochemistry ENVI 234 or GEOL 234
2. Clean Energy CHEM 211
3. Drug Discovery CHEM 212
4. Environmental Visualization with Drones ENVI 206 or GEOL 206

Many science majors and all pre-health programs require CHEM 106, General Chemistry Lab. Note students who complete CHEM 107 and 108 are not required to take CHEM 106. 

 
PRE-HEALTH students: Due to this equivalency, these courses satisfy the introductory biology laboratory professional school requirement. Quote from Dr. Thomas Langhorne, Director of Pre-Health Services: "If you are enrolled in one of these FRI laboratories (ENVI 234/GEOL 234; CHEM 211, CHEM 212, ENVI 206/GEOL 206) you do not have to enroll in CHEM 106. These courses satisfy the requirement of CHEM 106 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory and are annotated accordingly in the University Bulletin. As such, they satisfy the professional school admission requirement for introductory chemistry with laboratory." 

Therefore, the FRI program, Harpur Advising, Pre-health Advising, and the Chemistry Department advise students who complete the Research Stream part I course in these four research streams to NOT enroll in CHEM 106.

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 minor. For more information, please visit the Writing Studies Minor webpage. 

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 are expected to work in research teams and attend class periods and team meetings as required in course syllabi. Students who fail to meet these standards will not be allowed to continue. Students should monitor their own progress and discuss any concerns with the FRI staff.

Binghamton Scholars curriculum considerations for students enrolled in the FRI program

The FRI Program is not directly related to the ������Ƶ 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. In addition, scholars enrolled in the FRI Program and taking the required FRI courses may optionally (not required) delay taking their SCHL 280 courses for up to one year if so desired.  Therefore, instead of taking SCHL 280 courses in the second and third semesters, FRI Scholars may delay taking their SCHL 280 courses until their fourth and fifth semesters if desired. For more information, please visit the ������Ƶ Scholars Program FRI webpage.