Undergraduate Research & Senior Synthesis Projects 

All Chemistry and Biochemistry majors participate in research projects. These research projects may be either laboratory or literature based and serve students in fulfilling their Senior Synthesis requirement for graduation. They also provide many other educational benefits to students. In formulating, performing, and presenting their projects, students collaborate with a Chemistry faculty adviser or a professional in an external agency or company. Most projects are individual projects, but some involve teams of a small number of students working on aspects of the same or similar problems. 

General Types of Projects

• Basic or applied research on a problem in the scholarly field of a professor or mentored by a professional in industry or health care.
• Basic or applied research in collaboration with a faculty member on a problem in the field of chemical education.
• Service projects involving chemistry or biochemistry applied in the contexts of chemical education, environmental problems, or health-related issues.

Characteristics of Projects

• Project work is conducted outside the classroom, in laboratories either at SU or at approved external sites.
• Projects can involve individual students or teams of students working with a mentor.
• Students involved in projects gain experience in practice and understanding of the scientific method.
• Formal project presentations, both written and oral, contribute to the development of professionally useful skills for students.
• Projects promote using Chemistry or Biochemistry knowledge and encourage connections with core educational experiences.
• Projects provide experience in chemical literature searching in order to place project goals and results in the context of existing knowledge.
• Students choose their project with the guidance of an adviser, so that the career goals of the student are served.
• Faculty design the projects offered for students under their mentorship.
• Each project is documented using professional guidelines. Students are responsible for regular progress reports and regularly scheduled work on the project.

Objectives of Undergraduate Research & Senior Synthesis Projects

All activities and projects are centered on student learning and are in accord with the Chemistry Departmental and University missions.

• Projects provide opportunity for learning experiences that result in knowledge, competence and creativity in the major field.
• Projects provide a strong, collaborative research or internship experience that results in the understanding and practicing of the scientific method.
• Projects provide a standard-setting experience in formal oral and written presentations that develops professional skills and attitudes.
• Projects facilitate the professional growth and enthusiasm of the faculty.
• Projects provide a rich variety of opportunities to apply knowledge in the field in service to others.