Faculty members are friendly and provide many opportunities for undergraduates at this research-grade institution. Any student who wants to be involved in our research can be brought on board to work in the labs with grad students. I've had more than 40 undergraduates in my lab in the nine years I've been here. We treat them as professionals. They also have a chance to do research in an independent study and be published before graduation.
Students have a chance to be involved in departmental research.
The department's research focus is on current public and environmental concerns, including biocatalysis, atmospheric chemistry and modeling, development of alternate fuels, and development of new polymeric materials. The department also participates in interdisciplinary research in the University's Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing, the Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, and the University's Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy. This gives undergraduates access to a variety of University facilities and professors. My mind was set on chemical engineering after I visited campus. I found the department to be very interactive, with accessible faculty members who are excited about what they teach.