Undergraduate research experiences are valuable, yet can be difficult for students to obtain. Working on open-ended research questions enables students to develop problem-solving skills, increase communication skills, enhance critical thinking, and help define career goals. Unfortunately, some students are unable to find positions in research laboratories and miss this educational opportunity. To address this problem, the Biomedical Sciences Department at Colorado State University developed a course in 2015 that enabled students to participate in hands-on research centered on projects stemming from faculty laboratories. The information provided here describes the development and funding for this course, the likely benefits for students, and a preliminary view of student reactions to the course. Future efforts will focus on developing metrics to better evaluate student learning.