Research in Faculty Labs

Also see Research Experience at other Universities (below)

There are many opportunities to work in faculty research labs for pay, academic credit, or as a volunteer. If you want to do this you would elect ChE 290 (sophomores, free elective credit) or ChE 490 (Directed Study, Research and Special Problems, technical elective credit) after making arrangements with a professor to work on a specific project. Projects are available in Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer Terms. If you are looking for a lab job for the summer you should ideally start your search in February.

To find a research position in the Chemical Engineering department:

• Explore options by visiting the ChE Department research page (http://www.engin.umich.edu/dept/cheme/research.html) and the list of available ChE 490 projects. The "ChE 490 Project Descriptions" handout isavailable on the web (http://www.engin.umich.edu/dept/cheme/checourses) and in the Undergraduate Program Office (3090 Dow). Note that a number of professors have projects available that aren't on this list.
  
  
• Contact the professor to see if you can get a position working in their labs. When e-mailing professors, remember that enthusiasm and interest in their area count for a lot. In the email, include

  a) Why you are interested in working in their labs. Cite the web page, how it relates to your interest, etc.

  b) Why you are a good candidate - List relevant classes, your major, resume highlights "As you can see from my resume.... " sentences work well.

  c) Your resume, as an attachment.

  d) Whether you are interested in a paid position or academic credit, and whether you're willing to consider a volunteer position.

  e) Your availability to meet with them in the near future to discuss the position.

• If you both agree to arrangements for a research project, you can make arrangements to get paid or sign up for that professor's section of ChE 290 or ChE 490. A student enrolled in ChE 290 or ChE 490 for 3 credits will be expected to:

  a) Work approximately 10-12 hours per week (during Fall and Winter terms; 20-24 hours would be required for Spring and Summer 1/2 terms) on the project.

  b) Submit a carefully crafted and thoughtfully organized written report at the end of the semester.

  c) Present a 10 minute oral report near the end of the semester, generally to the professor's research group.

These credits can count as technical electives or free electives. Note that technical electives can not be fulfilled exclusively with research credits.

Opportunities for Research Experience at Other Universities

National Science Foundation-Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF-REU)

Research Opportunities for Chemical Engineers (compiled at University of Connecticut)

Research and Training Opportunities at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)