Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Explore Undergraduate Chemistry Research

Although it is not a requirement for the degree, research is an important component of undergraduate education, whether or not you are bound for graduate work in chemistry. There are many reasons to round out your education with some research. They include testing and enriching your understanding of chemical concepts, gaining an understanding of how science is actually done, and fostering closer interactions with other chemistry students and faculty members. Interactions with the faculty are very helpful for obtaining quality recommendations for whichever career path you follow after graduation. Such recommendations are indispensable for students intending to pursue advanced degrees in chemistry. For these reasons, the majority of Chemistry majors graduate with several semesters of research experience. In most cases, this experience is gained through working with a research group within the chemistry department, although a few students elect to do research in allied departments or through a National Science Foundation REU Program.

For information on safety training requirements for undergraduate research, please visit Undergrad Program FAQ (under "Additional Questions").

Other ways to get involved in Research:

The CURIE program was started in Spring 2022 by Dr. Joseph Cotruvo.  It is a 2-credit (~10 hours per week via registration for CHEM 294) opportunity for students in the Chemistry Major to explore the diversity of chemistry; connect with a topic that they are passionate about; experience laboratory research for the first time; develop their written and verbal communication skills; and establish a connection with a Chemistry Department faculty member in whose laboratory they will be able to do chemistry research, ideally beginning in summer 2022.

The centerpiece of the program is three, 4-week rotations in different research labs, assigned based on student preferences. Students will shadow their graduate student or postdoctoral scholar mentors and participate as much as possible in group meetings.

Class periods will primarily be focused on discussion and group activities for professional development. The classes will be divided into units focusing on 1) doing science, 2) reading about science, 3) writing about science, and 4) talking about science.

Writing assignments are designed to help students reflect on rotation experiences and their scientific interests. At the end of the semester, students will give a short presentation connecting one of their rotation experiences to a current and important scientific problem.