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Research is an important component of an undergraduate degree program in chemistry.
Experience gained in the lab can help students acquire the skills and experience they need to get into graduate school - or see if research is something they want to consider as a career option. An undergraduate research experience is an excellent way to develop problem-solving skills, polish communication skills and learn to work both independently and as a member of a team.
Undergraduates in our group work together with graduate students in the lab but have responsibility for their own project. A number of undergraduate students within the group have published their work in prestigious scientific journals. Some of these publications are listed below. The undergraduate authors are underlined.
What undergraduate researchers say about working in the Hutch Lab:
Rachel Smith:
I think that undergraduate research is critical for the science major, as it exposes different facets of science that you don't see in ordinary curriculum. What I like about research is that it is here where science is pushed forward; you can read many science textbooks, but what is known is a result of people performing experiments. No experiments, no new knowledge. From learning how science is done in a real, academic setting and participating, you can discover more about science and about yourself (how you think and solve problems, work ethic, whether you actually like it, etc.).
In the Hutch lab, I did the most interesting kind of chemistry (surface chemistry), which was something that I had never come across in any of my science courses. It is this invaluable exposure to new kinds of science that makes participating in undergraduate research worthwhile. Frankly, it was the best decision that I could have made. And I would do it over again. More than just doing the experiments and exploring new and different kinds of science, I enjoyed working with the people. I had the fortune of working with graduate students (Clegg, Reed) and an advisor, all of whom took the time to help develop the scientist that I will grow up to be. The day-to-day mentoring process is what has helped me beyond anything else. Now that I'm in graduate school, I realize how important my undergraduate research was (and I often wish that if I had just worked a little harder...); working with graduate students in a Ph.D. program allowed me to see what it takes to be successful in graduate school. The transition from undergraduate to graduate school has been painless, and I often feel like I have a "head start." There haven't been many dissimilar obstacles.
Anna Shope:
"I think undergraduate research is important not only because it gives students preparation and experience for graduate or industrial work, but also because one of the best ways to know and understand chemistry is by doing it. The concepts and reactions students learn in class are quickly lost without application, and sometimes the teaching lab isn't enough hands on work. From my own research, I was able to really grasp the application of synthetic chemistry much more than I could have from lecture and lab. I also gained confidence in my public presentation skills, because so much of doing research is presenting and defending it. Most of all, I think I learned how much more undergraduate research is than standing at a hood all day. It's reading, researching in the library, working with others, using the resources around you, doing the chemistry, trial and error, analyzing results, preparing presentations, presenting, getting feedback, hopefully getting published, and having something to be proud of when your research is complete.
The Hutch Lab is a great opportunity for undergraduate research because the members of the lab are committed to hard work and are very willing to help you with your work. I admire Jim's idea that members of the lab should "work hard and play hard" and that is just what we strive for. Working for Jim was extremely rigorous and extremely fun and rewarding. Research in the Hutch lab is something I would definately recommend to anyone interested in organic research.
Walter Weare:
"Research was by far the most important aspect of my undergraduate education. The reason for this is that it solidified my desire to pursue graduate studies in chemistry at a high level by allowing me to see that I enjoyed research. Also, it has opened my eyes in several of my classes as to why exactly they teach what they do in them. This "real-life" experience has enriched my undergraduate education immensely.
Beyond learning experimental techniques, which one can learn anywhere, the Hutch lab provided an environment where presentation and discussion of the science was almost as important as the experiments themselves. This experience will serve me well as I continue in my graduate career, where presentation is an important part of success.
Undergraduate research helps students decide whether they want to spend their lives doing research. Chances are if you don't enjoy it now, you won't enjoy it later. By giving yourself the opportunity earlier in your schooling, you will know that you haven't made a mistake if you choose to further pursue chemistry at graduate school. Furthermore, it is definitely a big boost in getting in to graduate school. The interaction with the laboratory environment and the professor help you to know what people want to know about you in applications, and your boss will be able to write a knowledgable letter of recommendation instead of the run-of-the-mill "yeah, he sat in the fourth row of my lecture and asked some questions once in a while and did well on my tests."
Undergraduate Authors:
Wybourne, M. N.; Hutchison, J. E.; Clarke, L.; Brown, L. O.; Mooster, J. L “Fabrication and Electrical Transport Characteristics of Low-Dimensional Nanoparticle Arrays Organized by Biomolecular Scaffolds,” Microelectron Eng. 1999, 47, 55-57.
Clegg, R. S.; Reed, S. M.; Smith, R. K.; Barron, B. L.; Rear, J. A.; Hutchison, J. E. "The Interplay of Lateral and Tiered Interactions in Stratified Self-Organized Moleuclar Assemblies." Langmuir. 1999, 15, 8876-83.
Rasmussen, S. C.; Pickens, J. C.; Hutchison, J. E. "A New General Approach to Tuning the Properties of Functionalized Polythiophenes: The Oxidative Polymerization of 4-Substituted-2,2'-Bithiophenes," Chem. Mater. 1998, 1990-1999.
Rasmussen, S. C.; Pickens, J. C.; Hutchison, J. E. "Highly Conjugated, Water Soluble Polymers via the Direct Oxidative Polymerization of a Monosubstituted Bithiophene," Macromolecules 1998, 31, 933-936.
Rasmussen, S. C.; Pickens, J. C.; Hutchison, J. E. "A General Synthetic Route to 4-Substituted-2,2'-Bithiophenes," J. Heterocyclic Chem. 1997, 34, 285-288.
In the Hutch Lab we're always looking for enthusiastic students who want to learn. If you're interested, we encourage you to learn about us through this web site, then call and set up an interview.
- Research our work within this website and see if it interests you.
- Check out our publications.
- Contact us to learn more: hutch@oregon.uoregon.edu
Where our former undergraduates are now:
We have former students participating in education, private business, chemistry graduate school and medical school. Check out the former students section of our people page for more details.