Keywords

Enter a program, idea, office, or department into the field above and click go




Investigations in Catalysis

Research Experience for Undergraduates

June 2 - August 8, 2008

(Application Deadline March 14, 2008)

A Summer REU Program

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation and Brandeis University Chemistry

An Overview

The excitement of research in chemistry is all too often lost in the classroom, with the result that talented students drift into other disciplines.  To offset this trend, we have established an REU site at Brandeis University encompassing research in organic, inorganic, physical and biological chemistry and centered on the theme of catalysis.  This theme is ideally suited to convey to students the excitement, the breadth, the interdisciplinary nature, and the practical applications of chemical research.  The planned program activities are designed to achieve the following goals:

•  provide a challenging and rewarding introduction to the method and practice of scientific inquiry that will stimulate interest in chemistry and associated careers

•  expose students to the range of current research problems beyond the scope of chemistry coursework

•  integrate the practice of chemistry by emphasizing the commonalities of research at the interface of the traditional subdisciplines

  • stimulate interest in research and non-traditional career options
  • develop quantitative, analytic and reasoning skills
  • improve communication skills
  • introduce students to ethical issues in scientific research

Chemistry at Brandeis

Brandeis University is an almost unique combination of small liberal arts college and research university.  The Brandeis research community is extraordinarily interactive and supportive, so that the resulting scientific enterprise is much greater than the sum of its parts.  The internationally recognized faculty maintains a strong commitment to undergraduate education and has a long history of sponsoring undergraduate research.