Student Faculty Research

You don’t have to be a science major to be involved with research at Drake.

Though, if science is your thing, there are plenty of opportunities for research through the Drake University Science Collaborative Institute. Past studies have been conducted on topics as broad as violent video games, food intake and ethanol preference, autism, swine flu, and carbon levels in the Gishwati Forest Reserve.

You’ll be able to get involved with research as early as your first year, with projects that are led by faculty members. If you want to get involved, it’s easy—you usually just have to ask. Drake also gives you a chance to pursue your own interests through an independent study, capstone project, or honors senior thesis. In all of these cases, you’ll work closely with a faculty adviser to define, develop, and complete your project. Students have studied everything from microfinancing in developing nations, Hurricane Katrina, and international food aid, to urban sprawl, marriage and modern society, and the American news media.