A top priority for our department is for our students to do chemistry, not just to learn about chemistry. In order to accomplish this, we have created a laboratory rich curriculum and broadly available opportunities for our students to participate in undergraduate research. First, every chemistry class has a required laboratory experience. Some of these laboratories require students to design and carry out their own experiments. Second, almost all (>90% of the chemistry majors participate in our summer research program. Students in this program work with a faculty member for 10 weeks for two successive summers. They receive on-campus student housing and a stipend. This experience has been funded by several organizations, including our alumni association (Research Associates), the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the National Science Foundation, the Research Corporation, and the Petroleum Research Fund among others. Most students doing research in chemistry end up as co-authors on one or more scientific papers and also present their work at meetings of professional organizations such as the American Chemical Society and the Western Spectroscopy Association. Attached below are annual reports to Research Associates and additional summaries of student scholarly work and publications.
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