The Chemistry Department offers many opportunities for undergraduates to get involved in research, be it through informal arrangement, for credit, or as part of one of our summer undergraduate research programs. Students at all levels of study are strongly encouraged to get involved, whether they are planning on a career in the sciences or just want to see what research is all about. Regardless of their ultimate career goal, this experience gives students the chance to explore their talents and inclinations for scientific inquiry as well as to get more in-depth exposure to the frontiers of chemistry, and to the culture of scientific research. Doing research can also help students gain admission to graduate or professional school and to compete favorably in the job market.

To find a research advisor, first look at the faculty pages on the departmental web site. Read the research descriptions, then contact those professors whose work you find interesting in order to explore the possibility of doing research in their groups and to ask for more information on available research projects. Students can earn course credit for research during the academic year or summer by registering for CHE 450 (Research in Chemistry) or BCM 460 (Research in Biochemistry).

The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds a large number of research opportunities through its REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) Sites program. Each student is associated with a specific research project, where he/she works closely with faculty and other researchers. An REU Site may be at either a US or foreign location. Students must contact the individual sites for information and application materials. NSF does not have application materials and does not select student participants.

Additional research opportunities are available in the summer through the REU program here on campus, as well as through the iREU program where students do research abroad in Graz, Austria. These programs each run for 10-weeks, and student participants receive a stipend, rather than getting research credit. While most participants in these programs will come from other universities, Syracuse students are also encouraged to apply. Click on the links below for additional information.

Useful Links
  » NSF-REU, Syracuse University
  » NSF-iREU, University of Technology - Graz, Austria
  » Directory of Active REU Sites
  » Featured Summer Opportunities