Research and Education Experience for Highly Qualified Undergraduate Students

The URM program is designed to extend to highly qualified freshman chemistry and biochemistry majors the opportunity to be paired with a faculty mentor in the department of chemistry and molecular biology at NDSU. The incoming student would become a full member of the faculty members research group, joining not only other undergraduates, but also graduate students and postdoctoral associates, and would be expected to contribute a minimum of 8-10 hours a week to their research projects. Our experience has been that soon after joining a research group, URM students become active participants in the research progress, either creating new chemical knowledge or applying that knowledge to today's research needs.

Being part of a research group lets students personally experience how chemistry is done and gives students knowledge and insight that go well beyond what one learns in traditional lecture or laboratory classes. In addition, having a home in such a group provides opportunities for making friends among students with similar life goals, and for peer advising from more senior undergraduates and grad students. Students who maintain their research position beyond the freshman year typically become an author on research conference presentations and publications with their mentors and other group members.

The opportunity to participate in research as freshmen is rarely available to students at other universities. This early start allows students to contribute more fully to their research projects and distinguishes our URM graduates from other applicants for prestigious positions in graduate and professional school.

In addition to the early research opportunity, the URM students receive a modest stipend ($1,200 paid in installments over the academic year as long as the student continues his/her research activities). This stipend is provided without regard to any other scholarships the student may have earned. The source of funding for the stipend is faculty research grants obtained from government agencies like the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Departments of Energy, Agriculture, and Defense, and from industry.

Download the URM application form (pdf).

Deadline for Fall 2008 applications is May 30, 2008.

Interested students should direct questions, letters of recommendations and completed applications to:

Professor Seth C. Rasmussen
URM Program Coordinator
Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology
North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND 58105-5516

Telephone: 701.231.8747
Fax: 701.231.8831
Email: Seth.Rasmussen@ndsu.edu