Undergraduate Research
Chemistry students may participate in undergraduate research projects as part of the University's UExplore Undergraduate Research Program. UExplore supports student research during both the regular school year and the summer. Students whose research projects are approved by the research committee may request up to $1,000 for research supplies during the fall and spring semesters; for summer research, up to $2,000 in research funds and a stipend of $3,500 and free housing for 10 weeks of work are available. Students may explore their own research ideas or work on a faculty research topic.
Examples of ongoing faculty projects include:
- Analytical or Environmental Chemistry — the development of multi-antibody immunoaffinity separation platforms and heavy metal determination in the local environment
- Biochemistry — the study of an enzyme that may play a role in insulin resistance and diabetes
- Inorganic Chemistry — the synthesis of catalysts for the production of hydrogen fuel
- Organic Chemistry — the development of new methods for solid-phase synthesis of organic molecules
- Physical Chemistry — the development of multiple laser techniques for the study of highly excited electronic states of molecules
In addition, a variety of off-campus research opportunities exist at national laboratories or at graduate schools across the country, and each summer many of our students participate in such research experiences. Students also present their results at regional and national undergraduate research conferences.
Internships
Many chemistry students take advantage of the five-year cooperative education program at the University of Evansville. Students integrate classroom theory with practical work experience by alternating semesters of classes with semesters of paid employment. Chemistry students may also earn academic credit through industrial internships during the summer or academic year. Recent internships include:
- Mead Johnson Nutritionals, Evansville, Indiana
- SABIC Innovative Plastics, Mt. Vernon, Indiana
- Red Spot Paint, Evansville, Indiana
- Grain Processing Corporation, Washington, Indiana
- RISE Internship Program, Germany