Assessing the Value of Research in the Chemical Sciences (1998) / Chapter Skim
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7 Research as a Critical Component of the Undergraduate Educational Experience
7 Research as a Critical Component of the Undergraduate Educational Experience
Pages 73-81
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From page 73... ...
However, first of all, you may ask: "Why 10 years? " Suffice it to say that I chose that time frame because the National Science Foundation's REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates)
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From page 74... ...
The answer, I think, is equally obvious with respect to undergraduate research. Chemistry as an undergraduate discipline clearly has two components one of content and one of method.
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From page 75... ...
A stu dent's education in chemistry is incomplete without research experience. Similar statements appear in a report issued by an analogous biological sciences site directors workshop held in 1993: Research not only serves as an important adjunct to the traditional classroom, but is absolutely essential in modern, quality, undergraduate science education.
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From page 76... ...
Similar results are reported at other schools for example, by Professor John Hogg at Texas A&M: "I estimate that up to 75 percent of students who participate in our NSF-REU program attend graduate school" and at meetings and Conclusion 2. Undergraduate research experience makes a difference by increasing the numbers of individuals who choose careers in chemistry or who go to graduate school in the chemical sciences.
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From page 77... ...
The last decade has shown a clear increase in the numbers of women participating in undergraduate research and attending graduate school. Also, one might ask, has undergraduate research made a difference from the perspective of the student?
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From page 78... ...
Conclusion 4. Undergraduate research experience makes a difference for both men and women chemistry students by favorably disposing them toward graduate school, helping them select a school and area of research, better preparing them for graduate education, and influencing them to remain and complete a graduate degree.
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From page 79... ...
Personal testimony, informal communication, written comments and responses to surveys, and the experience of mentors and advisors all indicate that undergraduate research experience makes a positive difference in the education and the professional and personal development of its participants. SUMMARY A variety of assessment methods, some more quantitative than others, can be applied to the question of determining the value of the undergraduate research experience.
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From page 80... ...
In your particular case. participation in the Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program has , ~ ~ ~ ~ a special requirement namely, that the students have already professed an interest in chemistry, are entering a chemistry program, and are predisposed to go on to graduate school.
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From page 81... ...
So the question is, how do you foster greater participation in research experiences, particularly in the large universities, where such a high percentage of students are in the sciences?
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