Internships give biology students real-world, hands-on experience in field, lab, clinical, or community-based settings. They help you:
- Apply your biology knowledge in professional environments
- Build skills in research, communication, and teamwork
- Make connections for future employment or grad/professional school
- Explore career paths before graduating
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Plan Ahead
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Internships are senior-level experiences, typically taken in your final year.
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If you want your internship to count as your capstone experience, you’ll need to register for:
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BSC 4944C – Senior Project I: Internship (2 cr)
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BSC 4911 – Senior Project II: Presentation (1 cr)
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Meet the Prerequisites
Before enrolling in BSC 4944C, you must complete at least one of the following:
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PCB 3023C – Cell Biology
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PCB 3043C – General Ecology
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PCB 3063C – Genetics
Identify an Internship Opportunity
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Look for opportunities on your own or with faculty help in:
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Research labs
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Wildlife or marine agencies
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Hospitals or medical offices (if pre-med)
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Environmental consulting firms
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Local non-profits
- For more information on internships, please check FGCU's Internships and Cooperative Programs
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The internship must include a clear biological or scientific component and a qualified site supervisor.
Secure a Faculty Mentor
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You must have a faculty mentor from the Department of Biological Sciences.
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They’ll help define your project goals, provide oversight, and guide your final presentation.
Get Department Approval
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For BSC 4940 (Internship in Biology) or BSC 4944C, you must obtain approval from the department chair.
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This ensures your experience meets academic standards and counts toward your degree.
Where to Look for Internships
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Talk to your professors — many involve students in their research or know local partners.
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Check with Career Development Services at FGCU.
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Ask your biology advisor (naturalsciences@fgcu.edu) for leads on biology-relevant internships.
Post-Internship Reflection
During my animal hospital part of my internship I learned how to do essential veterinary technician tasks . This included things such as helping the doctor in routine exams, animal restraint, medication preparations and refills, IV catheter placement, canine intubation, surgical preparation, surgical monitoring, and post-operative care.”
My internship at Edulis Designs provided a real-world application of the permaculture concepts I have been studying since I first had my Food Forest Gardening and Permaculture Design courses with Mr. Nikesch. Having the opportunity to assist in designing, installing, and managing these permaculture systems for clients both commercial and private have exposed me directly to hands-on experience in regenerative landscape projects.”
Throughout this experience I was able to learn many skills that are required for my future career choice. This includes communication, time management, teamwork, and business management. This was all learned through observation, and physicians teaching me this information directly. I was also able to connect my major, undergraduate courses, and co-curriculars to the information that I was learning here.”
