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Undergraduate research has always been a high priority in my research group. There are many interrelated reasons for this. Perhaps the simplest is the fact that I myself began my chemistry career by conducting research as an undergraduate at the University of Alabama. After two years of work I had authored two publications and, more importantly, I had experienced first-hand the enjoyment and importance of scientific research. Of course, I had also experienced the many difficulties associated with conducting research but learned that devoted effort, with timely help from others, was all that is needed to move past any obstacles. Aaron and I and, indeed, my entire research group, now firmly believe that undergraduates should be an integral component of any modern research laboratory and as important as graduate students and postdoctoral associates. Spending time teaching these students allows us to fulfill our mission as an educational institution. Whether or not the students choose to continue their scientific careers, their research efforts will give them the experience to make an informed decision when the time comes. The knowledge they gain from hands-on research cements the concepts they learned during their coursework. Furthermore, their graduate and postdoctoral mentors are a constant resource to help with homework discussions or explanations of difficult concepts. Thus, undergraduate research is a complement, rather than a detriment, to the students' classroom performance. |
