Research Opportunities

The Chemistry Department encourages students to participate in research.

Most faculty have active research programs that depend on the contributions of undergraduate researchers, and students can reach out to faculty at any time to learn more. In the fall, the department hosts a poster session for students to learn about research opportunities. In the spring, the department has an information session on research and teaching assistantships.

Student researchers in the department learn to design and conduct experiments, analyze data, troubleshoot, interpret results, and present their work. Students who engage in multiple semesters of research often have opportunities to present their work off-campus at local, regional, and national conferences, and/or to co-author publications with their faculty advisor. 

During the academic year, students usually enroll in 0.5 credits of CHEM 425: Research (Laboratory) using a special registration form. Students in CHEM 425 conduct research with a faculty member and attend and present at the department’s seminar series, held from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Friday afternoons. Students who cannot attend seminar may discuss the possibility of taking CHEM 399: Independent Study with a research advisor instead. Students interested in research opportunities during the academic year should contact faculty during the prior semester.  

During the summer, students can do research full-time and receive a stipend and optional co-curricular credit. Students are funded through the College’s Summer Research Program, the Department’s James N. Frank Fellowship Program for rising seniors, and individual faculty’s external research grants. Students interested in summer positions should reach out to faculty in December or January.