Participating in research activities fosters critical thinking skills, prepares students for the workforce and helps them decide whether or not to include research in their academic and professional careers. Lab and field work is an asset for any student and is particularly important for those interested in graduate school.
Opportunities
All Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty engage interested students in cutting-edge research programs. Students may earn upper division credit for research during the semester or during the summer for pay (including a stipend, on-campus housing and a supplies budget).
Conferences
Many student researchers present their results at local, national and international scientific conferences including:
- American Chemical Society
- Protein Society
- International Conference on Physical Organic Chemistry
Journals
And have published their research in the chemical literature including:
- Biochemistry
- Environmental Science and Technology
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Journal of the American Chemical Society
- Journal of Organic Chemistry
Faculty-student collaborative research in Chemistry and Biochemistry is supported via grants from various funding agencies:
Courses
CHEM 296
Introduction to Undergraduate Research
CHEM 496
Undergraduate Research
CHEM 496H
Honors Undergraduate Research
Research Requirements
Chemistry and biochemistry majors are required to fulfill at least 100 hours of undergraduate research with a faculty member.
Showcases
Creative Collaborations Undergraduate Research Conference
Creative Collaborations Undergraduate Research Conference (CC URC) showcases undergraduate research, scholarly activities and creative works from all disciplines conducted in partnership with faculty mentors. The high-quality work of our students reflects the intellectual curiosity of our undergraduate students, the outstanding abilities of the research mentors, as well as USD's commitment to academic excellence and experiential learning opportunities.
Many of the students who participate in Creative Collaborations also publish their work in academic journals and present their projects at regional, national and international conferences. Participating in research activities fosters critical thinking skills, prepares students for the 21st century workforce and helps them decide whether or not to include research in their academic and professional careers.
For details on research registration, students should go to the Office of Undergraduate Research.