Research

A major strength of the chemistry department is its undergraduate research program. 

Andre Isaacs '05, assistant professor of chemistry, confers with a student during a lab.

Andre Isaacs '05, assistant professor of chemistry, confers with a student during a lab. 

Qualified students, working in association with faculty members, may have an opportunity to conduct research for academic credit. In addition, summer research positions (with a monetary stipend) are available on a competitive basis. As of result of these opportunities, 17³Ô¹ÏÍø undergraduates regularly contribute papers to professional science publications.  


Projects are carried out under the supervision of a tenured or tenure-track faculty member.
Interested students should contact faculty members directly to discuss possible opportunities. 

Several research courses are available to students, by permission from the faculty advisor:

  • CHEM 389: Involves a commitment to join a research group
  • CHEM 390: Involves an original and individual experimental investigation
  • CHEM 405/406: Involves an original and individual experimental investigation
  • CHEM 407/408: Builds on the investigation started in CHEM 405/406
  • CHEM 410: Builds on the experiences gained in previous research and provides an opportunity for more in-depth investigations 

 

student at a conference standing beside her poster
Students Present at Conferences, Serve as Co-Authors

Students publish as co-authors in top peer-reviewed journals and about 20 students a year present their research results at the national meetings of our professional societies. 

student working on a laptop in a science lab while his faculty mentor looks on
Chemistry Professor, Who Frequently Involves Student in Research, Has Netted $1.5M from NSF

Since 2001, research projects conducted by Kenneth Mills, associate professor of chemistry, have enjoyed uninterrupted financial support from the National Science Foundation bringing in more than $1.5 million. Mills, whose research integrates student research participation, has mentored more than 50 undergraduate students in his research lab and has produced 25 publications, many of which have included student co-authors and appeared in peer-reviewed publications.