Undergraduate

Research Experience for Undergraduates

Overview

The Department of Chemistry is pleased to announce the Academic Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program, which began during the fall semester of 2005. Students will have the opportunity to do research in a faculty mentor's laboratory as well as participate in scheduled events. The scheduled events may include seminars on faculty research, writing, patents and licensing, presentation skills, and graduate school. The REU Program offers a variable credit course, CHM 4970 (1, 2, or 3 credits) and a zero-credit option, IDS 4914. To receive credit, students will be required to write a short research paper as well as present a poster at an end of semester poster event.

Below you will find information about the research projects, the faculty mentors, the guidelines, and the process for being matched with a mentor. Students must be matched with a mentor before they can register for CHM 4970 or IDS 4914. The REU Program is selective and competitive; therefore, interested students should apply as soon as possible.

Students should see an academic advisor to understand how REU credit for CHM 4970 impacts their degree progression or major requirements.

SPRING 2025 REU Permit request form

Permits are processed within 2 business days. Permit requests will open on November 4th, 2024. Last day to submit permit requests is Wednesday, January 8th at 5PM.  All permits are required prior to registration. 

Personnel

Participating Faculty

Please see our research page for a list of participating faculty and their research areas.

Departmental Ambassador:
Matt Fernandez
Administrative Specialist 
CHE 205A

 STEPS TO GETTING INVOLVED IN REU PROGRAM

Don't Have a Faculty Match?

The Office of Undergraduate Research provides a canvas course to help guide you through the process of finding a research mentor if you are unsure of how to identify the faculty member you would like to work with. 

Students interested in working with chemistry department faculty are required to follow the following steps:

  1. Review the research areas and pages of faculty members involved in research
  2. After reviewing the research areas, narrow down to 1-2 faculty members that you are interested in doing research with.
  3. Email the faculty member you should include the following information:
      • Name, U#, Academic Standing (Freshmen, Sophomore, etc)
      • Major and degree (BA/BS/Non-degree) - Expected graduation date Semester/ Year
      • Chemistry Courses taking and/or completed with Grades &  Overall GPA
      • Write a short paragraph describing your research interest and motivation. REU positions are very competitive, make sure you convey your message clearly.
      • Briefly describe your research experience (enter 'none' if applicable):
      • Describe your future goals (i.e. Health professions school, Graduate School in or Chemical Sciences (e4tc.
      •  It is also recommended that you include a academic reference (include title, name and email address) in case the faculty member wants to contact them.
      •  Let the faculty member know how many hours you would be interested in spending in the research lab, and whether or not you would be taking CHM 4970 for 1-3 credits or utilizing the zero-credit option of IDS 4914.
      • Once matched, register online and complete the EH & S Lab & Research Safety Course
      • Each semester, you will need to apply for an REU permit to continue working in a Chemistry Department research lab and have the permission of the faculty member.  Please do not submit a REU permit request form if you do not have written permission from the faculty member to be in their lab doing research.  Click on the permit request form process under "Have a Faculty Match" Once you have that confirmation.

 

Have a Faculty Match and ready to fill out the Permit Request Form?

  1. Each semester, you will need to apply for an REU permit to continue working in a Chemistry Department research lab and have the permission of the faculty member. 
  2. To begin process fill out either the online permit request form and select "REU Permit."
  3. Then, fill out the form and indicate your PI and which course you will be choosing a permit for: either CHM 4970 REU - 1, 2 or 3 credit option, or  IDS 4914 - the 0 Credit option. 

  4. Once you submit the permit request form a confirmation email will be generated and qualtrics will send to your information to chemhelp@usf.edu email.  We will then confirm with your research group faculty member that you are eligible for registration in their REU course.  This process takes approximately 3-5 business days after the form closes (first week of classes).

    **Forms must be submitted before the first week of classes each term.** Students who miss the deadlines will only be allowed to volunteer in the lab. Please contact your advisor for more information. No late-add petitions will be supported or processed.