Chemistry Learning Opportunities
As a Chemistry major, you’ll gain valuable real-world experience outside of the classroom when you join organizations, attend conferences, and conduct research with professors and peers. By participating in these experiential learning opportunities, you’ll build a powerful resume and significantly expand your knowledge while having fun.
The Chemistry and Biochemistry Club (CBC) promotes chemistry to the university and surrounding community by participating in outreach activities to teach chemistry principles and generate an interest in science among students, teachers and the community. The Chemistry Department’s close, collegial atmosphere extends to the CBC, which fosters friendships, develops leadership skills, promotes volunteerism and encourages professional development.
The Biosciences Department offers you the opportunity to be a Learning Assistant for courses you have already taken. It’s a competitive selection process and a privilege that not only deepens your topic knowledge but provides valuable teaching experience.
Below are some of the innovative tools and techniques used by students.
- 400-MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer is the single most powerful instrument used for identifying the structure of molecular compounds. Key uses: chemical research, biochemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, polymer science, petroleum research, agricultural chemistry and medicine.
- Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) separates all of the components in a sample and identifies the component of a mixture through a representative spectral output. Key uses: drug detection, environmental analysis and fire and explosives investigation.
- FT-IR Spectrometer is one of the most common spectroscopic techniques used by organic and inorganic chemists. Key uses: unequivocally identifies certain types of chemical bonds in a compound.
- UV-VIS Spectrometer is a highly flexible instrument used in nearly every laboratory. Key uses: content analysis of multicomponent samples.
- FPLC/HPLC Automated Chromatography is used to separate or purify proteins and other polymers from complex mixtures. Key uses: biochemistry and analytical chemistry to identify, quantify and purify the individual components of a mixture.
The National Science Foundation REU funded fellowships support active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation.
If you want to live in an educational environment surrounded by others with the same passion for biosciences, this learning community is for you. The Science & Health Learning Community is for declared Biology, Chemistry, Chemistry Education, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Exercise Science, Life Science Education or Nursing majors. You’ll get to participate in hands-on labs with fellow students while preparing for a science or health-related career.
MSUM’s annual Andrew Conteh Student Academic Conference showcases student research on a variety of topics and encourages student growth and development. It’s a component in the important work of transforming students’ lives.
The hallmark of an MSUM Chemistry and Biochemistry degree is the opportunity you have to conduct research with gifted professors who are committed to your academic success. You’ll use research-grade equipment to learn from and work alongside faculty mentors. Many students conduct research for multiple semesters and with multiple professors.