Undergraduate Research
(Chem 99, 199, 194H)
(See form below)

Research experience looks great on your transcripts and on your resume. Most employers and graduate programs in chemistry strongly recommend, if not require, some independent research. Undergraduate research can also offer insights into career possibilities by giving you an idea of what research fields interest you.

Undergraduate research is an independent study option that offers students the opportunity to conduct state-of-the-art scientific investigations under the supervision of a faculty member. The Department encourages all of its majors to participate in undergraduate research by enrolling in the appropriate course (CHE 99, 199 or 194H).

CHE 199, “Special Study for Advanced Undergraduates”, involves supervised independent research and requires adequate background in the proposed subject as well as prior completion of 84 units. For students with fewer than 84 units, the equivalent course is CHE 99, “Special Study for Undergraduates”. CHE 194H, “Undergraduate Honors Research”, is a study program for honors students within the chemistry major. Projects tend to be more independent and challenging. To qualify for the 194H series, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in courses taken for the major as well as prior completion of 135 units.

You should first assess the areas of chemistry that most interest you from your own course work. You can then compare your interests with the research being carried out by individual faculty, which is described on their web pages. It is advised to begin your search one quarter before you wish to enter the program. Most chemistry students begin undergraduate research their senior or junior year.

After you have chosen one or more faculty whose research interests you, set up an appointment with them to discuss the possibility of doing undergraduate research in their group. Faculty often prefer undergraduates to have completed relevant courses in the area of the research, but this is not always required. Also, it is generally recommended that students commit to several quarters of research with the same faculty member. There is often a significant learning curve before productive research results can be obtained.

If a faculty member wants you in their lab the two of you will need to discuss and document the assignment each quarter.

Please download, fill out, and follow the instructions provided in the pdf below for documentation and course credit / registration.

Variable Unit Course Request Form