Undergraduate Chemistry and Engineering Research Programs

Undergraduate student participation in scientific research programs is not only encouraged but is often required in an increasing number of reputable colleges and universities. Capstone projects and research programs in chemistry and related science and engineering departments rely on analytical instrumentation of various types as the primary means to capture measurement data in support of their studies.

Analytical measurement science can play a critical role in academic research settings. As such, a basic awareness of analytical metrology and an understanding of the Academy Prep curriculum is essential for increasing the likelihood of early college success for science-inclined students.

• The student gains an early advantage in recognizing under-graduate research opportunities, and then getting accepted by the most prestigious professor for their chemistry or engineering research group.

• Academic research experience gained by the student may be the competitive advantage needed to propel them onward to graduate school or job entry into the workforce.

Analytical measurements are integral to many academic research studies. Research utilizes analytical instrumentation of various types to probe atoms or molecules for vital information.

Common scientific categories of analytical instrumentation often used in academic research programs include:

• Spectroscopy
• Chromatography
• Electrochemistry
• Mass Spectrometry
• Lasers
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Scientific software  is used to process and present measurement data. Software packages commonly used in academic research programs can generally be separated into the following categories:

• Graphical software
• Data analysis software