Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) undergraduate research programs have been shown to impact students' access, learning, and retention in STEM fields (Reave, 2004; Seymour, Hunter, Laursen, & DeAntoni, 2004). Research has also shown that student-adviser relationships in STEM undergraduate research programs prepare students for…

An innovative first- and second-year laboratory course sequence is described. The goal of the instructional model is to introduce chemistry and biochemistry majors to the process of research participation earlier in their academic training. To achieve that goal, the instructional model incorporates significant hands-on experiences with chemical…

Interest in undergraduate student research has grown in response to initiatives from various professional societies and educational organizations. Participation in research changes student attitudes towards courses as they realize the utility and relevance of what they are learning. At the U.S. Naval Academy, the chemistry majors' curriculum was…