Many chemistry majors begin research in faculty labs as freshman or sophomores and all are required to complete a Senior Thesis project that is judged assessed by a jury of faculty from nearby universities, national laboratories, and industries.  These research projects provided students with the opportunity to engage in open-ended problem solving guided by a faculty member.  This provides each student with avenues for exploring problems of particular interest and allow for instruction beyond that of the classroom.  Many of these research opportunities exist during the summer months, when the student can work full-time on a project of interest.

During the senior year, chemistry majors propose and carry-out a research project approved by the faculty.  During the Fall semester, a literature review of the proposed research is conducted and the proposed research is presented to the faculty seminar style.  The proposed research is carried-out during the Spring semester.  Results are presented to the faculty and an outside jury in a short seminar.