Chemistry majors at UMM are strongly encouraged to experience the excitement of searching for answers to real world problems. There is no lab manual: this is research, 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 is a multitude of research opportunities for undergraduates in chemistry and biochemistry, both at UMM and at institutions all over the country and even the world!

Research at UMM

UMM students begin their undergraduate research careers right here by taking the Introduction to Research course, a two-credit course required of all sophomore Chemistry or Biochemistry majors. Many continue their research experiences by carrying out a directed study, MAP or UROP (see below), or by working with a faculty member over the summer. Opportunities to carry out undergraduate research in chemistry while at UMM are many. In fact, UMM was recently awarded a CCLI grant which will support two students during summer 2006. Click here for more information.

How do I get started? If you are interested in working on an undergraduate research project, you should think about the general area of research in which you are most interested and go speak with the UMM chemistry faculty whose interests match yours. Find out what research projects s/he is currently working on, or describe your own interests. You can also read about faculty research interests by checking the any of the faculty links at left.

Grant Programs. There are a couple of excellent sources of financial support available to UMM students for pursuing undergraduate research here:

• The MAP (Morris Academic Partnership) program is a Morris campus initiative which pays students a healthy stipend to carry out research during the academic year (some MAP research can be carried out over the summer as well).
• UROP stands for "Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program," a competitive and prestigious undergraduate grant program. Unlike the MAP funding, UROP-supported research is driven by the student: it is a chance for you to get funding for a project you develop and write a proposal for, and is a real feather in your cap. At UMM, the contact person for UROP information, forms, etc. is Sharon Van Eps.

Research Elsewhere

Perhaps you think you would like to do undergraduate research, but don't think you can spare the time during the academic year. Perhaps you'd rather investigate the synthesis of novel amino acids in sunny southern California, instead of working for the county road crew next summer. If this is you, then ample opportunities exist for summer undergraduate research at sites across the U.S. and abroad. To start off your search for the off-campus research experience that is right for you, check out:

• National Science Foundation (Research Experience for Undergraduates). This is an outstanding place to begin your search. "REU" sites are scattered all over the United States, and many UMM students have gained great research experience in REU programs during the summer. This site allows you to search by location or by the type of science you are interested in.
• National Institutes of Health. This site guides you to summer research opportunities in biomedical research.
• The American Chemical Society maintains a site on Internships, Summer Jobs and Co-opsfor undergraduate chemistry majors. These are great non-academic research opportunities (e.g. at an industrial site, for example). They also have some great information about study and research abroad (so you can have your cake and eat it too!)
• CIRRUS (Chemistry Internet Resource for Research by Undergraduate Students) at Pacific Lutheran University
• IREU (International Research Experience for Undergraduates). This is an American Chemical Society exchange program where students spend 10 weeks working at a university abroad (France, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom) under the supervision of graduate students and research directors.

Most sites are at research universities, but several companies offer internship opportunities as well. The UMM Career Center maintains a site with very useful information regarding internship opportunities.

A nice web resource for those considering undergraduate research can be found at WebGURU.

Current internship and REU opportunities are posted on the bulletin board at the top of the stairs on the second floor of the Science atrium. Additional informational materials and applications for research opportunities can be found in the file cabinet in Science 3005. An online list of chemistry and biochemistry undergraduate research opportunities not listed at one of the sites above can by accessed by clicking here.