Forging Faculty–Student Relationships at the College Level Using a First-Year Research Experience

Abstract

Coupling the scholarly activities of the chemistry research faculty with that of the freshman Honors general chemistry class has resulted in a rise of productivity within the Department. For seven years, freshman Honors students enrolled in the Honors general chemistry laboratory sections have been assigned to work in the labs of the research active faculty within the Department of Chemistry. Approximately a quarter of those enrolled in the Honors general chemistry laboratory sections elect to continue their research experience. The continued and sustained research experience has resulted in a research journal paper for six participants. For the past four years, four papers have been accepted for publication because of the research activities conducted as freshman stemming from this program. Each paper has had at least one co-author as an undergraduate at the sophomore or freshman level.