| Carolyn Wheat | 210-999-8406 | cwheat@trinity.edu |
| Preparing Professional Chemists in the 21st Century |
| March 17, 2000 - It's common knowledge that scientific research is conducted at large universities in the United States, and much of it is done by graduate students. "But involving undergraduates in research is the best way to train chemists because it is the one part of the curriculum where they behave as chemists," says Nancy Mills, professor of chemistry at Trinity University. Yet what is now an essential element of many undergraduate curricula is a relatively new phenomena. Mills will discuss the benefits and effectiveness of undergraduate research in preparing chemists for graduate education or the entrance into industry when she presents, "University Research: Preparing Professional Chemists in the 21st Century," at the American Chemical Society national meeting in San Francisco, March 26 to 31. Her talk is part of the "Chemistry in the 21st Century" symposium.
For many chemists, the most satisfactory method of involvement in discovery-based learning occurs in the research laboratory, in a "real" experiment rather than a concocted one with constrained variables so that "good" results can be obtained by students. In a survey of chemical industry managers and alumni who were employed directly upon graduation, Mills asked the value of undergraduate research. The responses from both groups were similar. They cited the importance in the ability to communicate, based on presenting findings of their research to their department or in research group meetings, and the confidence generated by the ownership of a research project. Other benefits of undergraduate research included problem-solving skills and the ability to handle frustration. Mills will cite data by the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) showing that quality research at primarily undergraduate institutions, as defined by its publication in refereed journals, has increased by 33% between 1978 and 1996. She will also show data demonstrating that faculty-student involvement in collaborative research in chemistry at undergraduate institutions has gone from an activity expected for faculty at few universities, to one which is expected of the majority of faculty teaching at four-year institutions. Trinity University, founded in 1869, is a highly selective, professionally-oriented liberal arts and sciences institution. This residential, primarily undergraduate coeducational university is noted for its superb facilities and undergraduate research opportunities. Through its academic and co-curricular programs, Trinity seeks to develop leaders with high moral and ethical standards. It is a learning community that has charted its course with a steadfast commitment to excellence for over 130 years. |
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Last updated on November 8, 2000 by the Office of Public Relations |