Undergraduate - Research
Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates Program-REU
Eligibility: All chemistry and science majors.
NOT OPEN to University of Michigan undergraduates.
PROCEDURES for RESEARCH and INDEPENDENT STUDY COURSES
The Department of Chemistry offers courses which allow undergraduate students to participate in the scholarly activities of the faculty. The courses require considerable initiative on the part of the student both in arranging for collaboration with a particular faculty member and in carrying out the collaboration. It is wise to start exploring possible arrangements THE TERM BEFORE YOU INTEND TO REGISTER, but in any event registration must be completed by the end of the free drop/add period of the term. The courses are:
Chem 218. Independent Study in Biochemistry Permission of instructor. For students with less than junior standing.(1) May be repeated for a total of 4 credits toward graduation requirements.Chem 219. Independent Study in Chemistry Permission of instructor. For students with less than junior standing.(1) May be repeated for a total of 4 credits toward graduation requirements.
Chem 398. Undergraduate Research in Biochemistry Junior standing (55 credits toward program) and permission of the professor who will supervise the research. (1-4). May be elected for a total of 4 credits toward graduation requirements.
Chem 399. Undergraduate Research in Chemistry Junior standing (55 credits toward program) and permission of the professor who will supervise the research. (1-4). May be elected for a total of 4 credits toward graduation requirements.
STUDENT
Consider research interests of the faculty as described in the chemistry graduate brochure, biochemistry research notebook in 1500 Chem, or websites (http://www.umich.edu/~michchem, /biochem/, /~biophys/) and make appointments for meetings.
Reach agreement on the research project for the term with a professor of choice and complete the Student-Professor Agreement for Independent Study for each term registered. Each credit is equivalent to at least four hours a week of actual work for a 14 week term (minimum 50 hours per term-credit hour).
Submit a copy of the form to Student Services and you will receive an email when you can register via Wolverine Access. When thinking about independent research, keep in mind the drop/add deadline for each term (generally 3 weeks after the start of classes.) You should give yourself enough time to consult with faculty, write your proposal, and get an override before that deadline each term.
Watch safety video in the Science Learning Center (1720 Chem) before beginning lab work.
Obtain the required text, Writing the Laboratory Notebook by Kanare published by the American Chemical Society. This is a guide to maintaining a laboratory notebook.
Maintain a laboratory notebook according to procedures in Writing the Laboratory Notebook. The notebook will be turned in to the research advisor at the end of the term.
Submit a short report to your research advisor by the last day of exams unless required earlier by research advisor.
PROFESSOR
Discuss research projects with students.
Sign the Student-Professor Agreement for Independent Study or Undergraduate Research form for each term of registration.
Specify what will be required of the student: what type of report will be required in addition to lab notes, and when they are due (no later than the last day of exams), hours student is expected to work, etc.
Grade student (A-E). (A's are not automatic.)
When a report is not turned in, professor will assign an I grade if "the amount of unfinished work is small, the work is unfinished for reasons acceptable to the instructor, the student's standing in the course is at least C-." "Incomplete grades may be made up while a student is not in residence...An incomplete grade must be made up by the fourth week of a student's next fall or winter term in residence..."