Undergraduate Research in Chemistry and Biochemistry
An enthusiastic, energetic research environment has developed at SCU. Research experience is extremely valuable to chemistry and biochemistry students, and may help them find jobs or gain admission to graduate or professional schools. SCU chemistry and biochemistry majors are therefore encouraged to participate in faculty-supervised research projects year-round. Occasionally, outstanding students majoring in other fields may do research in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The faculty places a strong emphasis on individually mentoring students and providing intensive research experiences. Typically, 10-15 undergraduates are actively involved in research during the academic year, while about 15 students participate in the summer research program.
The department has sponsored the local section ACS undergraduate research conference, and hosted the conference in 1999 and 2008.
Research Opportunities
Academic Year
Santa Clara Students registering for Chem 182, Undergraduate Research, earn 1 credit hour for every three hours per week spent doing research. Interested students need to directly contact the faculty member they wish to do research with, preferably before the start of the quarter. Students may register for 1 to 3 credit hours, and should note that oral presentations and written reports constitute a part of the third credit hour. Undergraduate researchers meet with faculty, present work in progress, and discuss research projects in regular research group meetings. Students commonly present results at research conferences including national and local meetings of the American Chemical Society (ACS), Sigma Xi, and the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS).
During the summer, depending on availability of funding, students continue to do research with their faculty mentors.
Summer Internship Programs
Sophomores and juniors are usually encouraged to participate in summer internships, either here or through programs hosted by other universities. Acceptance to these programs is based on qualifications. Application deadlines may be as early as January, so students should start researching summer internships in the fall quarter.
Student Research Publications
Listings of publications - Publications are arranged under the year of publication. Choose any one year to read more. Undergraduate co-authors are underlined.
Career Information and Job Postings