When should I get started?
- As early as Freshman year, anytime you feel ready to engage in an
experience beyond the classroom, or want to be a part of some really
cool work you find interesting
- Or if you have a particular program in mind (such as a summer REU
in materials science) the eligibility criteria will determine when you
can apply and what background you need.
How should I get started?
- Browse through faculty profiles in the department to see what
professors do in their labs. Contact the professors whose work you
find interesting and ask how you can participate. S/he will either
suggest you apply for a particular research program or agree to award
you credit for your work. You may volunteer or some professors may pay
you to work, (but don’t expect this right away.)
- If you enroll in a research program, the procedure to follow for
getting started will be presented to you. Programs vary in many ways
so pay attention to the particular details of your program.
How can I be paid for my work?
- Specific research programs exist that provide a stipend for your
participation. Some are listed at
http://quiz2.chem.arizona.edu/ugres/Research_Opportunities.htm
Most summer research programs include a generous stipend for the 8-10
week project (anywhere from around $3000-4500). Some include travel
allowance and/or living expenses too.If you work on a volunteer basis
or for credit, the research director of the group may eventually pay
you for your research after you shown dedication and accomplishment.
How can I receive credit for my work?
- If the professor agrees, you may enroll in one of many research
courses offered by the Department. CHEM 199, 299, 399, 499 and the
corresponding honors courses enable you to get credit. CHEM 392 or
492, 498, 498H are also available. Look them up in the online UA
Catalog under Course Descriptions to see how many units you can get,
and whether the class is alternatively graded (S,P,C,D,E) or regularly
graded (A,B,C,D,E) Only Grades of A,B,C,D,E are included in your GPA.
- In order to enroll, you must fill out an Independent Study
Proposal form which you can get from your professor, from Chemistry
202, or download from
http://www.registrar.arizona.edu/forms/IndepStudy.pdf
- When selecting the class you want and number of units, keep in
mind that expectations will be higher for advanced courses such as
300-400 level classes, and for the honors sections of the courses. If
this is your first research experience, discuss with your professor
which would be the most appropriate class for you. You’ll also need to
negotiate the details of what you’ll do for the credit and whether a
final report is necessary among other things. Also, please realize
that you need to put in at least 45 hours of work for each unit of
credit you desire. Plan ahead; see how much time you have each week to
devote to the project and make sure your professor approves the number
of units.
- Next, you need to submit the form to Robin Rarick in Chemistry 202
to be enrolled for the class. As long as you’ll be staying below 19
total units, you can avoid having to get the change of schedule form
approved by the Dean of the college.
I’m having trouble finding something in the Chemistry
Department because I have interests in both chemistry and another area.
How can I integrate both into one project? Can I look elsewhere?
- You certainly can! If you’re trying to combine interests into one
project, and find what you’re looking for in another department, you
should explore this option. It is best to check the webpage of the
department in which you are looking to see if they have information
about undergraduate research and who to contact with questions.
Chemistry majors have engaged in research in departments such as
environmental science, materials science and engineering,
biochemistry, ecology and evolutionary biology, pharmacology,
microbiology, and even plant sciences, and anthropology. You’ll find
chemistry related research all over campus. You should discuss your
interests with your advisor and work to find the best possible match.
I’m not sure I know what I am interested in. What
can I do?
- It may be helpful to try to determine what aspects of your
classes you are good at or enjoy. Ask yourself questions. Do you
like the analytical approach, or are you more into synthesis of new
compounds? Do you prefer quantitative analysis or qualitative? Do
you tend to do enjoy abstract thinking or more concrete or tangible
notions? Asking yourself questions like this may help you to narrow
down possibilities. Also, take into consideration the classes you’ve
had. Did you like organic or prefer the general chemistry classes?
What have your read about in science recently? What originally drew
you to chemistry? See your chemistry professor or faculty advisor
(who also conducts research!) during office hours if possible, or
set up a time to discuss his/her work, and what’s currently exciting
in chemistry. You may enjoy shadowing a graduate student or more
senior undergraduate in a research lab to see what they do. This may
help you to see where you fit in and spark some interest.
Where do I look for research opportunities?
- Start with the undergraduate webpage.
http://quiz2.chem.arizona.edu/ugres/Research_Opportunities.htm
Here you will find all types of chemistry related opportunities with
links to a variety of programs. This page lists funded research
programs as well as how to get started for credit or on a volunteer
basis. If you have questions about what you see, talk to your
faculty advisor who can clarify things.
What are my options if I want to do research in a
chemical area which I cannot find at UA?
- Depending on what it is you’re trying to find, you may be able
to find something through an REU program at another university.
Students have been able to spend their summers in California for
instance, working in a Department of Energy sponsored research lab;
or in Massachusetts in an ocean chemistry lab.
- Another option is a research & development internship with a
company in the chemical industry. Cosmetics, forensic science, the
food and flavor industry, and a host of others offer the
possibilities of research related work that involves real-world work
experience. Working along side industrial chemists gives you another
perspective about the industry you may lack unless you actually see
it firsthand. The possibility to work for pay or credit exists, so
see your advisor about the process for getting involved.
Rather than a research project, I want to actually
see what working in a chemistry related job is like, how can I do
that?
- Internships are a popular choice. If there is a particular
company you’d like to work for, checking into an internship is a
great way to see if it’s a good fit for you. Ask them about
internship programs where you can be paid to work either part-time
or full-time in the summer.
- If they do not offer a paid internship, see if they will allow
you to work for them and receive college credit through UA. CHEM 493
is an internship course in which you can enroll. Those in the 2005
catalog may use up to 6 of these credits to fulfill chemistry major
elective units. See your major advisor about the procedure for
enrolling in the internship.
What programs exist for minority students?
- Many of the REU programs encourage women and minorities to get
involved. Look for programs that state this specifically.
- The MARC (Minority Access to Research Careers) program is one
which targets minority students who have the interest and potential
to pursue careers in biomedical research.
http://www.biochem.arizona.edu/marc/
- United Negro College Fund (UNCF) & Merck have the Science
Initiative for undergraduates. It offers scholarship money to
outstanding African American students pursuing studies and careers
in the field of biomedical research.
www.uncf.org/merck/
- Minority Health Disparities Summer research opportunities focus
on health issues that affect minority communities in a
disproportionate manner, e.g., diabetes, cancer, AIDs,
cardiovascular disease, obesity, and other diseases. American
Indian/Alaska Native, African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native
Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander undergraduates between their junior
and senior years in majors leading to biomedical careers will engage
in specific research projects at the University of Arizona under the
supervision of faculty conducting research on minority health
issues. See
http://grad.arizona.edu/multi/imp_index_files/under.php
- Summer Research Institute provides opportunities to
undergraduate juniors and seniors who come from underrepresented
backgrounds (who are underrepresented in graduate school) This
includes, for instance, low income/first generation students;
females in mathematics, science and engineering; disabled students,
and any other student in a category which is underrepresented in
graduate school.
http://grad.arizona.edu/multi/sri/
-
http://www.stc-mditr.org/REU The Center on Materials and
Devices for Information Technology Research (MDITR) Hooked on
Photonics (HOP) program
- See the undergraduate website for the links to these and other
programs
http://quiz2.chem.arizona.edu/ugres/Research_Opportunities.htm
I’m a senior and going to be graduating soon. Is
it too late to do research?
- You can start research anytime, even senior year. If you plan to
enter graduate school in a science area, it is imperative that you
are engaged in a research project; and the more selective the school
is, the more in depth the project should be. Try to find a project
that you can continue throughout the summer, if you are unable to
devote sufficient time during the fall/spring. You should see your
faculty advisor to help you develop a strategy for getting the most
out of your project if you are facing a limited time frame.
The course work for chemistry is time consuming
enough, how am I supposed to find time to do research too?
- You have to decide for yourself how important certain activities
are to you, and how well you want to do in each activity. Many
students find that they can maintain their grades and conduct
independent research of significance if they prioritize activities
and budget their time well. Going for “quality over quantity” seems
to work for most students, as they cut out the things that mean
little to them in order to excel in the things that mean more to
their academic career and professional growth. Quite often, students
who engage in research find that they actually do better in their
class work because the have constant reinforcement in the concepts
they learn in class, or have researched a topic before they actually
learn about it in class. Things seem to click more when they are a
regular part of your life.
- Balancing your schedule is important when you are trying to
juggle the demands of course work, a research project, and other
activities such as social events and responsibilities at work or at
home. Devising a plan to balance all aspects of your life is
imperative to being successful; and there could be ways to integrate
everything so that you avoid getting overwhelmed. Your faculty
advisor is a great resource in your planning and may help you see
ways to combine activities that will enable you to accomplish your
goals.
- Also, because research courses are variable unit, you may enroll
for 1, 2 3, etc. units, up to a maximum of 3-6 units depending on
the course. It will be up to you and your professor to decide what
is appropriate. (As long as you contribute at least 45 hours to the
project for each unit of credit you earn.)
- If you find that you simply cannot participate in a research
project during the regular terms, you may always conduct your
research over the summer, when you have no classes. Whether you
enroll for credit, participate in a paid program, or volunteer is up
to you.
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