Research, Internships, and Other Scholarly Activities

Research, internships, co-operative learning, and other scholarly activities allow students to use and integrate their chemistry knowledge, develop professional skills, create new scientific knowledge, and learn to appreciate the scientific process. Such experiences foster interactions among students, faculty, and chemical professionals. Faculty also benefit from increased exposure to current discoveries, chemical advances, and trends in chemical industry and research.

In a recent survey, less than one-quarter of respondents reported their two-year college supported original research. However, because research and other long-term projects help students develop both chemistry knowledge and professional skills, it is well-aligned with the missions of most two-year colleges. Here are some resources that may help.

• Community Colleges Tackle Research
  Read this Chemical & Engineering News article on research at two-year colleges.
• Undergraduate Research at Community Colleges*
  Learn how other two-year colleges are approaching research in this publication from the Council on Undergraduate Research.

• Case study
  See how one institution used the ACS Guidelines for Chemistry in Two-Year College Programs to support a research program, among other changes.
• Community College Undergraduate Research Initiative*
  Learn about this NSF-funded project to support the integration of research into the science curriculum using case studies.
• Research Careers at Community Colleges?*
  Find out how these two-year college faculty launched their own research programs.

• Funding
  Look through these grant opportunities for possible sources of research funds.
• Partnerships
  Learn how partnering with two- and four-year institutions, industry, and government can help fund research.
• webGURU*
  Share this source of advice and information on research with your students.

Internships, co-operative learning, job-shadowing, and other types of professional experiences give students a taste of possible future careers. They also help students develop their professional skills and can provide an edge in future job searches. Here are some resources to help support these experiences.

• New Bachelor-Level Chemists Face Grim Job Market
  Learn how work experience, such as internships, can make the difference in the job market.
• Internships Offer Tickets to Jobs and Lessons in Unpredictability*
  See how internships prepare students for the workplace.

• Position Statement: U.S. Internships*
  Get definitations and criteria from the National Association of Colleges and Employers to help you and your partners develop meaningful internship experiences.
  
• STUDENTfacturED*
  See how one two-year college developed its own internship opportunities.

• Internships for Undergraduate Chemistry Students
  Find internship and co-op opportunities, as well as information on the SCI Scholars Internship Program.
• InternMatch Chemistry*
  Check out another service for finding internships.
• Partnerships
  Learn how partnering with industry and government organizations can open up internships and other professional opportunities.

Do you have an opportunity or resource that should be added to this list? Contact the ACS Undergraduate Programs Office.

*This resource is available outside of ACS and is provided for informational use only. Listing of a product or service on this website does not constitute an endorsement by ACS.