Chemistry Student Research Opportunities
Undergraduates have participated in original research in chemistry at F&M for more than 50 years, and chemistry research at F&M has a long history of excellence. The Chemistry faculty believes research can be one of the most important educational experiences for students, and many of our graduates find it to be one of the most worthwhile experiences of their career.
Faculty Research Descriptions
Summer research is conducted during a 10-week period extending from approximately the last week in May through the first week in August. Although the summer research program in chemistry is often referred to as the Hackman Program because funding provided by Dr. William Hackman '39, an alumnus of the College, and his wife Lucille, has supported summer research for nearly twenty years, the funds for student stipends, chemicals and equipment, come from a variety of sources; e.g., grants from the National Science Foundation, the Petroleum Research Fund, or Research Corporation obtained by faculty members, industrial support to the department from companies such as Dupont and Merck, and support from foundations such as the Dreyfus Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the Beckman Foundation. In addition to the Hackman Scholarships, students have been supported through a variety of sources. Criteria for summer scholarships can be found at the list of Endowed Awards and Scholarships.
Stories from the lab...
My undergraduate research experience was absolutely fantastic…a journey full of challenges and struggles, triumphs and failures, where success is achieved not only from a result, but from not losing enthusiasm along the way."
Art Catino, Ph.D. '00
My research experience has given me an appreciation for the difference between being a chemistry student and being a chemist. The experience has taught me a variety of useful laboratory practices that will prepare me for graduate school and a career in chemistry.
Christopher Bemis '14