The Senior Capstone project is a mini-review on a current research topic in biology. A mini-review is a short review paper, about 10 pages in length, which covers a focused area of scientific inquiry over a relatively recent period of time. A mini-review critically evaluates a current research topic for an audience of other scientists, including those outside the immediate research area. It assesses and synthesizes relevant research, describes its broader significance, points out gaps in understanding, and suggests future work.

In completing the Senior Capstone, students:

• Use primary literature to understand and develop ideas and arguments.
• Understand and think critically about experimental design and data.
• Identify important questions and design new experiments and approaches.
• Integrate material from several courses or sub-disciplines into a coherent whole.
• Consolidate and synthesize basic biological information.