Union College is an undergraduate liberal arts college with strong Science and Engineering programs. We are strongly committed to incorporate undergraduate research experiences as an integral part of our curriculum. Each summer over 120 students gain research experience across campus, with the majority of the students being involved in research in science and engineering. Over the last six years, we have offered research opportunities in synthetic and natural polymers, polymer composites, and phase transitions of nano scaled materials. Through these research opportunities, we have successfully attracted and retained students from underrepresented groups in STEM fields. Students who participated in research, overall, tend to develop a sense of belonging in their respective fields and continue to make connection across disciplines. We strongly value these experiences and offer several interdisciplinary programs, including bioengineering, biochemistry, environmental studies, neuroscience, and nanotechnology. Our Nanotechnology program is supported through collaboration of faculty in five departments, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. In fact, we were one of the first colleges in the nation to receive NSF funding to launch our model program for liberal arts colleges and to develop an electronic book in nanotechnology. Over the last ten years, the program has expanded to include a minor in nanoscience and technology that emphasizes hands-on experiences for our undergraduates using major research instruments, including atomic force and scanning electron microscopy. These active learning experiences have enabled students to easily overcome educational barriers and develop proficiency in materials characterization techniques. (This has been supported through: NSF NUE 0939322; NSF MRIs 0619578, 0923384, 0959272; NSF EEC 0824341, NSF DUE 0850242; New York State NASA Space Grant and Union College Faculty Research Funds.)

Role of undergraduate research experiences at Union College in providing opportunities for under-represented students

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.