Undergraduate Program
Research Opportunities
Chemistry majors are strongly encouraged to participate in research to experience the excitement of searching for answers to real world problems. There is no lab manual and there is no better way to learn chemistry than to apply all that you have learned in your courses to your own research project. There are a multitude of research opportunities for undergraduates in chemistry, at U of U and at institutions all over the country and even the world!
Research Opportunities – year round
Independent Study
Some success stories: coming soon.
Finding a Research Advisor: The best method to begin this process is by reading the faculty profiles and research group descriptions found on the Research link on the Department of Chemistry’s main website. Click on the division of interest then on a faculty name. The most useful and up to date information will be found by looking at the group homepage. After examining the faculty profiles, students should be able to identify 3-4 professors whose research corresponds with their own interests. Students should then contact these faculty members in order to make an appointment to discuss possible research opportunities. Students should include their name, class standing, g.p.a., and a listing of all completed chemistry coursework in this communication. Once a meeting is arranged, students should find out as much as possible about the goals and work environment of the research group. Some questions students may wish to ask are:
- What projects are currently available in the lab?
- What are the real world impacts of this research?
- Could future undergraduate research in this lab be applied toward a peer-reviewed paper?
- What are the expectations for skill level and time commitment?
- Will I need to attend group meetings?
- Will I be working with a graduate student or post-doctoral mentor?
- How often will I have direct contact with the faculty member?
Students should also be prepared to answer questions about their academic and employment background from the faculty member.
Funding Opportunity: Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) at the University of Utah. The deadline for summer semester UROP Assistantship applications is April 16, 2012.
UROP deadlines and Application checklist
Summer Research Opportunities
National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF REU)
Outstanding NSF-supported summer research programs located at institutions across the United States.
National Institutes of Health. This site guides you to summer research opportunities in biomedical research.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology offers the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program (NIST-SURF) for students majoring in physics, materials science, chemistry, applied mathematics, computer science, or engineering. There may be research opportunities for students with other majors.
American Chemical Society opportunities
Cirrus: Chemistry Internet Resource for Research for Undergraduate Students
Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS)- Equal parts research internship, learning community, and mentoring program. SOARS offers comprehensive financial support for summer research and graduate school for up to four years.
