For undergraduate students, involvement in research is excellent preparation for graduate school, medical and other health-related schools, and careers in industry.  The great majority of chemistry majors spend multiple semesters in a research group, and often are featured as co-authors in publications resulting from their work. Remember, you need not be a chemistry major to participate in undergraduate research in the Chemistry Department.

The Sixth Annual Undergraduate Research Celebration is at 5 pm on Wednesday November 7th, 2007.  Click here for more information this year's event.

Joining a Research Group

    Choosing a research director follows a certain protocol, which is spelled out on the application form (available ~10th week of the semester).  You must interview at least four faculty members, one from each of the four groups specified on the application.  You are encouraged to speak to additional faculty, especially if you feel that this will enable you to make a more informed decision as to which group you'd like to join.  For an overview of the faculty research areas, see the Faculty Research Interests page.

General Expectations

    Students  spend, on average, four to five hours per week in the lab for each semester hour of CHM 4400 for which they are enrolled.

    Each semester, research advisors give each of their students enrolled in CHM 4400 a course syllabus with clearly defined expectations regarding grading and safety policies.  Grades are assigned using the following general "template" - the Three P's:

The Written Report

The written reports follow the general guidelines shown below:

• Student and instructor names/semester/year
• Title of Report
• Purpose (what you were trying to do)
• Background (why you were trying to do it)
• Results and Discussion (what really happened)
• Conclusions (what it all means and whether the goal was achieved)
• Recommendations (what to do next)
• References (in ACS Style Guide or other appropriate format)