Course Syllabus
CHEM 2915 Undergraduate Research
- Division: Natural Science and Math
- Department: Chemistry
- Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 1; Lab: 2
- Repeatable: Yes.
- Prerequisites: CHEM 1210 or Permission of the Instructor
- Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
- Semester Approved: Fall 2025
- Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2030
- End Semester: Summer 2031
- Optimum Class Size: 2
- Maximum Class Size: 6
Course Description
This course provides an opportunity for students to apply knowledge and techniques learned in classroom settings to actual research experience. No more than six students will assist one faculty member in that person's research. Students will receive faculty direction for at least one hour per week and lab research participation will usually range from two to four hours weekly. A short summary will be required to be presented to a small, in-lab seminar of interested students and faculty at the end of the semester.
Justification
Actual hands-on experience in lab and field research gives an advantage to students continuing on to transfer institutions. Majors in Chemistry begin undergraduate research in their second year at 4-year institutions. A number of professional programs require such research as a prerequisite for admission. This course is repeatable and will be under the direction of individual faculty members engaged in research. Participation in undergraduate research has been shown to be effective in increasing student problem solving skills and improving student retention.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Undergraduate research students will incorporate and develop good research habits, particularly in making observations, note-taking and data-recording, and data analysis along with integrity of process.
- Undergraduate research students will utilize and perfect techniques specific to a given research project.
- Undergraduate research students will be encouraged to draw connections to research in professional publications.
- Undergraduate research students will prepare a short summary to be presented to a small, in-lab seminar of interested students and faculty.
Course Content
Content will be specific to the particular research topic addressed. Some examples of previous undergraduate research include lecture demonstration development, development and testing of new learning labs for lab classes, air quality monitoring, overtone spectroscopy of alcohols, functional group analysis of aerosol particles, well water analysis, investigation of synthesis of square planar nickel and iron complex ions, or other applicable topics presented by the professor.