Current Students

Course Sequence

Overview of FRI Program

Students receive course credit for each semester, which applies to degree requirements. To learn more about which classes are required for their major, students can visit the Academic Guide. See below for specific information regarding FRI coursework and credit received.

FRI Semester 1 (first-year fall)	FRI Semester 2 (first-year spring)	FRI Semester 3 (second-year fall)
2 credits	4 credits	4 credits
Gen Ed ‘O’ - Oral Communication	‘I’ - Information Literacy ‘L’ - Laboratory Science	‘C’ - Composition ‘T’ - Critical Thinking ‘L’ - Laboratory Science
Research Methods seminar (no lab component)	Major/Minor applicable	Major/Minor applicable
Focus on team project exploring science problem	Apply conceptual & technical knowledge unique to research stream	Conduct proposed research
Public poster session	Research proposal	Research Manuscript & Public poster session
2 hour lecture/week	2 hour lecture + 6 hour lab/week	2 hour lecture + 6 hour lab/week

FRI Courses

FRI Semester 2 & 3: Research-Stream Courses 

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 and minor requirements.

There is a fee of $150 associated with each research stream course. 

• 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 electives and CHEM 362 can count toward chemistry elective required for the major. 

  For biochemistry majors: For students who started in Fall 2024 and earlier, 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. This substitution is not automatic and must be requested through the FRI office. The equivalency is currently being reevaluated for future students (Fall 2025 and beyond).

  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 electives 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 electives and CHEM 312 can count toward chemistry elective required for the major. 

  EXPLORE DRUG DISCOVERY

• 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 and 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

Notable Course Equivalencies

• 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 Academic Guide (Formerly 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 chemistry 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 Academic Guide (Formerly 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.

• Binghamton Scholars curriculum considerations for students enrolled in the FRI program

  Although FRI is not directly related to the Binghamton University Scholars Program, 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 FRI Semester 3 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. 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 Binghamton University Scholars Program FRI webpage.

FRI Advising

We specialize in:

• determining how FRI courses count towards degree requirements
• course conflicts and registration issues
• using College Scheduler and Degreeworks
• linking students with campus services
• Life After FRI questions: summer opportunities, graduation school planning

Scheduling an advising appointment

For advising appointments, please sign up on the FRI advising appointment page.

If you are unavailable during the current academic advising hours, feel free to email us at fri@binghamton.edu so we can make accommodations. Please include FRI Academic Advising in the subject line of your email.  

School Academic Advising

• Harpur College of Arts & Sciences' Academic Advising
• Watson College of Engineering & Applied Science's Academic Advising
• Pre-Health Professions Advising

Additional Resources

• The Binghamton Support Network allows students to search for resources to address their concerns.
• The External Scholarships and Undergraduate Research Center (ESURC) supports undergraduates in the following ways:
  • Facilitating external scholarship and fellowship applications (both national and international) with dedicated advising and workshops
  • Advising students looking to engage in faculty‑mentored research
  • Supporting student-led research and creative projects via funding, programming and the Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal (BUUJ)
• Harpur Edge, funded through alumni donations, has a Harpur Edge Student Support Fund which can be used for publication feed, conference travel expenses and more.
• The Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development helps undergraduates explore career and advanced study opportunities.

After FRI

The FRI program lays a wonderful foundation of building students' academic credentials and preparing them for future opportunities. FRI students are competitive for a variety of research and internship opportunities as well as national and international fellowships.

Post-FRI opportunities:

• FRI Undergraduate Peer Mentor - Students earn course credit to mentor the next cohort of FRI students.
• Course credit as "Independent Study" - Student arranges to continue the FRI project or start a new research project with faculty.
• Summer research assistant - Several programs internally and externally provide funding to students to participate in summer research opportunities at Binghamton as well as other institutions, national labs, etc.
• Internships - contact the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development.
• Fellowships - contact the External Scholarships and Undergraduate Research Center (ESURC).
• 4+1 programs available at Binghamton University - complete a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in five years with more than 50 degree program options.

Post-FRI student examples:

• Julian Marshall, FRI Biogeochemistry student: Biology major’s Binghamton experience roots in the natural world
• Eric Talbott & Marcis Scroger, FRI Biomedical Chemistry & Neuroscience students: Two Binghamton students win prestigious NSF research fellowship
• Kathryn Graham, FRI Biogeochemistry student: Geology student hopes to impact climate change through her research
• Adiel Felsen, FRI Image and Acoustic Signals Analysis student: Machine learning a source of inspiration
• Samantha Wong, FRI Environmental Visualization student: Drone research may benefit farmers
• Jasper Baur, FRI Environmental Visualization student: Geology student wins goldwater scholarship
• Lakshmi Hareendran, FRI Neuroscience student and peer mentor: Parkinson’s treatment could be more effective, student finds