Research is one of the highest callings of the scientist. Discoveries made by researchers have illuminated our universe, our world, and ourselves. Others have discovered or invented things that have made all of our lives better. (And, yes, some of us have found out things that we might wish we didn't know.) Research experience is a valuable asset for any undergraduate student in the sciences, especially those seeking admission to graduate school. All Chemistry (A. C. S. Certified) majors, Biochemistry majors, and Environmental Chemistry majors are required to participate in undergraduate research. Other chemistry majors also have some opportunities for research. The Chemistry Department encourages as many students as possible to obtain research experience.
Many faculty in the Chemistry Department and elsewhere on campus supervise research projects. Students seeking to perform research should check with faculty for projects of interest; here is a list of Faculty and their Research Interests and Capabilities. Note that faculty cannot serve as research mentors without support and have a limited number of slots for undergraduate researchers.
Several longstanding programs at Xavier have an undergraduate research component, and provide support for both students and faculty. These include:
Finding a Summer Research Position
Many of the programs cited above have a summer component. As noted above, interested students should consult the bulletin boards and posting areas near the Chemistry Department Office frequently for summer research on campus. Once again, here is a list of Faculty and their Research Interests and Capabilities.
Chemistry majors also have many opportunities to conduct summer research at graduate schools, medical schools, government laboratories, and corporate research labs. The Premedical Office also has information about Summer Programs; all students interested in medical school should pay close attention to those pages.
Xavier's Center for Undergraduate Research has listings for off-campus research in many disciplines.
Students can earn Xavier credit for their research if they follow appropriate departmental procedures. These are given in the most recent Introduction to Undergraduate Research (Chem 4080) and Undergraduate Research (Chem 4083) syllabi.
Student researchers are expected to make presentations about their research; this is a requiremement of Chem 4083. You are also expected to attend the presentations of others. Here is the current Undergraduate Research Seminar Schedule.
An abstract is an important part of any scientific report or presentation. Here are the Chemistry Department guidelines on How To Write an Abstract.
Finally, here are the Chemitry Department guidelines on How To Write a Research Report.