Senior Honors Chemistry

Catalog description

Prerequisites: permission of the department and one semester of Advanced Independent Study and Research ( CHEM-UA 997 or 998 ). Restricted to senior chemistry or biochemistry majors with a 3.65 both overall and in the courses required for the major. Required for candidates for the degree with honors. CHEM-UA 995 offered in the fall; CHEM-UA 996 offered in the spring. 2 to 4 credits per term. In consultation with the director of undergraduate studies, the student chooses a faculty member to serve as adviser in an independent program of research in experimental or theoretical chemistry. The student selects an adviser in the spring of the junior year or earlier and undertakes the work that spring, the following summer, and into the senior year. Attendance and participation in a weekly class session is required in the fall. A written progress report, thesis draft, or oral presentation at the end of the fall semester of the senior year is required as specified by the instructor. In the spring, student progress on the senior thesis is guided by weekly meetings with the instructor. Research is completed during the spring term, and the student presents the work at the annual College of Arts and Science Undergraduate Research Conference near the end of the term. The research culminates in the writing of a senior thesis that must be approved by the adviser and the director of undergraduate studies.