CHEM 495 Research Options

Students who select a traditional undergraduate experience will work directly with one of our faculty members in their laboratory on a project. The traditional research experience is at least one year in length. The best way to get a real sense of what scientists do is to apply the scientific background you have been developing in your classes to a research project. Regardless of your ultimate career goals, a research project will provide valuable experience, and is crucial if you intend to study chemistry past the B.S. level. The guidelines for using traditional undergraduate research to fulfill this requirement are as follows:

• CHEM 309 must be completed prior to enrolling in CHEM 495
• To learn more about how to get involved in undergraduate research visit our How to Start Undergraduate Research page.
• Students are required to complete at least 1 year of undergraduate research (2 credits over 2 semesters). However it is recommended that students complete 4-5 semesters of research.
• The CHEM 495 Alternative Research Proposal form must be filled out and approved by the department for any research outside of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry to be accepted for CHEM 495 credit.
• Students will enroll in two credits of CHEM 495 over two semesters to fulfill this requirement.

Students can complete curriculum design research with research faculty, clinical faculty, lecturers, or lab coordinators within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

• CHEM 309 must be completed prior to enrolling in CHEM 495.
• The CHEM 495 Alternative Research Proposal form must be filled out and approved by the department.
• The curriculum design project will be conducted the same as the traditional undergraduate student experience. 
• Students must be able to present work and complete a paper for CHEM 498.
• Students will still need to find a mentor within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry if the project is not with chemistry faculty.
• Students will enroll in two credits of CHEM 495 over two semesters to fulfill this requirement.

Students who are awarded a research fellowship at Boise State, or any other institution, can use the research they conduct during it to fulfill their CHEM 495 requirement. The guidelines for using research fellowships to fulfill this requirement are as follows:

• CHEM 309 must be completed prior to the summer fellowship.
• The CHEM 495 Alternative Research Proposal form must be filled out and approved by the department.
• The fellowship needs to be chemistry related.
• The fellowship must be at least 140 hours.
• Poster presentation at the end of summer fellowships is required.
• Students must be able to present work and complete a paper for CHEM 498.
• Students will still need to find a mentor within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
• Students will still need to enroll in two credits of CHEM 495 to meet graduation requirements.

Students can use chemistry related internships that they are conducting outside of the department, or even the university, to fulfill their CHEM 495 requirement. The guidelines for using internships to fulfill this requirement are as follows:

• CHEM 309 must be completed prior to the internship.
• The CHEM 495 Alternative Research Proposal form must be filled out and approved by the department.
• The internship needs to be chemistry related.
• The internship must be at least 140 hours. Student must be able to present work and complete a paper for CHEM 498.
• Students will still need to find a mentor within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
• Internships will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• Students can either complete upper division internship credits or enroll in two CHEM 495 credits to fulfill this requirement.

Vertically Integrated Projects is a program that was created to increase student access to hands-on learning with faculty mentors and diverse teams. Students can use chemistry related VIP projects to fulfill their CHEM 495 requirement. The guidelines for using VIP to fulfill this requirement are as follows:

• CHEM 309 or one semester of VIP 200 must be completed prior to enrolling in VIP credits that will fulfill the CHEM 495 requirement.
• The CHEM 495 Alternative Research Proposal form must be filled out and approved by the department.
• The VIP project needs to be chemistry related.
• The student needs to complete at least 140 hours (3 credits) on the same VIP project.
• Students must be able to present work and complete a paper for CHEM 498.
• Students will still need to find a mentor within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry if the project is not with chemistry faculty.
• Students will enroll in VIP credits to fulfill the CHEM 495 requirement.