Undergraduate Research

We encourage all students to become involved with research. The benefits are many:

development of skills associated with working in the chemical literature
development of advanced laboratory skills and methods of data archival and analysis
increased interactions with your peers and faculty within the department
greater exposure to state-of-the art instrumentation used in chemical research
easier transition to graduate study or employment
flexible scheduling of research time (as opposed to structured teaching labs)
increased self-confidence and independence in laboratory research
development of written and oral communication skills

Ready to start research?

Complete CHEM 195. Research Practices is a required co- or pre-requisite. This is a 0-credit asynchronous online course covering lab safety and research protocols.
Explore research opportunities. Before or during add/drop review the different research activities conducted by chemistry faculty and the research opportunities available in their labs.

Contact faculty. Email faculty whose research interests you and ask about opportunities for the upcoming semester.
Watch for the registration form. The form to register for Fall 2026 research will be available in mid-August.

Register during add/drop. Once approved, you will be given an override for the research course and will need to register before add/drop ends.

Research Courses

CHEM 195: Research Practices in Chemistry - Laboratory safety and environmental health in the practice of chemistry research. Includes instruction in the responsible and ethical conduct of research. Chemistry 195 is a pre-/co-requisite for all chemistry research courses, and thus must be taken before or concurrently with the student’s first research course.
CHEM 190: Introductory Research - allows students to become involved in independent research for credit in the spring of their freshman year.
CHEM 290: Sophomore Research - you can take CHEM 290 for credit in the sophomore year. The credit earned through CHEM 290 counts towards the GPA, but does not apply to the 120 hour minimum for graduation.
CHEM 390: Junior Research - you can take CHEM 390 for credit in the junior year. The credit earned through CHEM 390 counts towards the GPA, but does not apply towards the 120 hour minimum for graduation. Chem 390 students will have to attend the Chemistry seminars on Friday afternoons.
CHEM 490: Senior Research - you may take this course for 1 – 3 credits per semester with a maximum of 6 credits. ACS approval requires a minimum 3 credits in this course. The major writing requirement may be fulfilled by enrolling concurrently in CHEM 490W. Chem 490 students will have to attend the Chemistry seminars on Friday afternoons.
CHEM 495/496: Honors Research - open to students who meet guidelines set by the College and have the permission of their research advisor. Chem 495/496 students will have to attend the Chemistry seminars on Friday afternoons.

Students are sometimes interested in research projects conducted in other departments, especially VIMS or Applied Science. We have developed guidelines for this sort of project. The research must be chemically oriented and approved by the department. Consult with the Director of Undergraduate Research for details.