Student Research

Research & Fieldwork

  • Chemistry students with their research projects
  • Chemistry students doing research in a lab
  • Chemistry summer research group
  • Students working in an undergraduate chemistry lab
  • Chemistry student presenting their research project
  • Students working with the UV-VIS spectrometer
  • Chemistry TAS group 2022
  • Undergraduate chemistry students working in a lab
  • Students showing their research project

An experience like no other

At SFA, you’ll learn both inside and outside the classroom. It’s important to our world-class faculty that you do more than just listen to lectures. We believe that you learn best through experience. We throw open the doors of our labs, and we help you find excellent summer internships and post-graduate opportunities.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is the only department at SFA that lists research as a required element for its bachelor's degrees. Most students begin research in the sophomore year, participate in research for several semesters and present their work as their capstone experience in the annual research symposium hosted by the department.

Grants available

The Robert A. Welch Foundation provides a grant to the SFA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, which provides scholarships for undergraduate research.

Summer research opportunities

Summer Research Experience provides select SFA students the opportunity to focus exclusively on research during the summer. Students work with a faculty mentor for 30 hours per week, participate in group meetings to discuss research and give a formal presentation to the department at the end of the SRE. Past Lumberjack SRE students have indicated the experience was transformational for building real-world scientific skills.

Research Enrichment for Undergraduates is a program funded by the National Science Foundation to provide undergraduate chemistry majors research opportunities at major research institutions.

With ACS- and ASBMB-certified programs, SFA positions students to compete for top summer internships. Check out internship and research opportunities available around the country on the ACS and ASBMB databases.

Annual research symposium

Our professors believe research participation and scientific communication are crucial components in a chemistry education. Our students conduct years of research, culminating in a grand finale: presenting in our own research symposium. All seniors present their research, and the top presenters receive commendations and scholarships at a special awards banquet.