Undergraduate chemistry and biochemistry majors are encouraged to perform undergraduate research as part of their academic curriculum. Undergraduate research counts as elective credit (Chem 497). See the Advising pages for details on how much credit can be obtained doing research. The research is an especially valuable experience for those students intending to go to graduate school or a research-related career. One semester of undergraduate research is good; two or more semesters of research is better, because experience increases productivity. It is not uncommon for undergraduates to become co-authors on scientific publications. Co-authorship on a research paper is a nice addition to a resume.
Undergraduate researchers are invited to present their research at local and national scientific meetings. Once a year, undergraduate researchers present posters in the Capitol Complex in Charleston to the public and the politicians.
Dan Carrier presenting his poster.
How to get started:
The following steps must be done the semester BEFORE the first semester of research, usually during the pre-registration period.
Requirements:
1. Undergraduate chemistry majors must have a 3.0 GPA or higher in order to participate in research.
2. Look at the Available Undergraduate Research Projects and talk to the professors whose research is of interest. If you and the professor reach an agreement about doing research, go to the next step.
3. Obtain packet of Undergraduate Research Registration Information from the Main Chemistry Office (see Dottie McCabe in 215 Clark Hall).
4. Complete the green Undergraduate Research Approval Sheet with your research professor. The most important information is the Topic of the Research Project and the Expected Hours per Week in Lab. Professors expect 3 hours per week in the lab per 1 credit hour in Chem 497.
5. Read the Safety Rules & Regulations for Undergraduate Students in Research Labortories. Both you and your research advisor need to sign and date the gold form.
6. Return the green form to Prof. Jeff Petersen, the Associate Chair. Prof. Petersen will check the GPA requirements and will sign the space for Departmental Approval. In Prof. Petersen?s absence, Prof. Harry Finklea, the Chair, will handle the approval process.
7. Return the gold form to Barbara Foster, the Senior Facilities Manager in 217 Clark Hall.
8. Register for Chem 497 for the agreed number of credit hours.
Please note the following requirement. Each undergraduate researcher must turn in a written report of your research activities at the end of each semester. The report should go to Prof. Petersen, the Associate Chair.
Undergraduate student researchers Alex Pavkovich and Melissa Pablic receive training from graduate student Jennifer Robertson on how to operate the Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer in Dr. Fred King’s research laboratory.
