Center for North American Bat Research and Conservation

Undergraduate Programs

We are deeply committed to experiential learning - particularly by involving undergraduates in research. The best evidence of this commitment is seen through our research project at the Indianapolis International Airport. Each summer we take a group of undergraduate and graduate students into the field to examine how urbanization surrounding the airport is impacting bats, specifically the endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis). Over the years more than 20 undergraduates have worked on this project. Many of those students are now employed in careers of their choice (ranging from field biologists to high school teachers) or are in graduate school (some at ISU). Short projects like this give our students hands-on experience conducting field research (usually while getting paid), and this experience helps students land future jobs.