Internships
Scout McLerran, a biology major, works in the community garden as an intern with the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. Photographer: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
Turn your interests into real experience
Internships help you explore career paths while building skills employers and graduate programs value. Biological Sciences students work in labs, the field and health-focused settings, then earn academic credit through BIO 496 by connecting hands-on experience to biology coursework.
An internship is a structured learning experience tied to your academic and career goals. It helps you test possible paths while gaining experience that strengthens resumes and applications.
Students use internships to:
- Explore biology-related careers before committing
- Build hands-on skills in professional settings
- Strengthen applications for jobs, graduate school or professional programs
- Build relationships with mentors and supervisors
Through the Biological Sciences Internship course (BIO 496), you will:
- Apply biology knowledge in real-world settings
- Gain technical and professional skills
- Develop problem-solving and communication abilities
- Integrate classroom learning with hands-on experience
- Clarify academic and career goals
Learning is assessed through reflection reports, supervisor evaluations and a final report.
Earning internship credit in Biological Sciences happens in four steps.
Find an internship
Explore opportunities that match your interests and goals. Most students begin with Bullseye powered by Handshake, UB’s platform for internships and jobs. You may also contact organizations or professionals directly to explore potential placements.
Get approval
Your internship must be reviewed and approved by the internship coordinator to confirm it meets academic standards for credit. Approval is coordinated through the Department of Biological Sciences internship process before you begin work.
Enroll in BIO 496
Once your internship is approved, enroll in BIO 496: Biological Sciences Internship. This course allows you to earn academic credit while completing your internship and documenting your learning throughout the semester.
Learn by doing
Work alongside professionals in a real-world setting while applying what you have learned in biology courses. Through guided reflection and feedback, you will connect hands-on experience to scientific thinking, professional skills and future goals.
These fellowships provide paid support so students can focus on learning during their internship.
Program highlights
- Support amount: $3,375 for one semester
- Time commitment: 15 hours per week for 15 weeks
- Eligibility: Undergraduate Biological Sciences majors
- Availability: Seven paid internships per academic year
- Postings: Bullseye powered by Handshake and the student listserv
These fellowships are supported by donor funding connected to the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science.
Potential employer inquiry
Organizations interested in hosting a UB intern through the Experiential Learning Fellowship Program can submit an inquiry. Each intern-fellow is fully funded for approved experiential learning opportunities.
Questions about internships, BIO 496 or approvals? We're here to help.
