There are many reasons why you (an undergraduate student) should participate in research.  The most important reason of all is that it is good for your education.  You will learn how things work in real scientific world.  You learn how to ask questions, devise hypothesis, develop experiments, and interpret data.  If you are taking my classes, it is likely that you will end up in a science related career.  So take advantage of opportunities around you.  There are many chemistry faculty members who conduct research with undergraduate students.  Go talk to some of them to see if any of their research subjects interests you.  If you are unsure or shy, you are welcome to come and talk to me first.  I will do my best to lead you to right direction.

    Once you decide that you would like to participate in research, what are your options?  There are three major options in the Chemistry Department.  First, you can take research credits for Chem. 481 and Chem. 485.  Second, some professors are often willing to pay you to do research, especially during the summer.  Third, the Chemistry department has three to four BS/MS positions open every year.  This program may be very beneficial for some students since it pays tuition and stipend for three years while completing both BS and MS degrees in three years from the time of acceptance to the program.  Normally, students apply to our BS/MS program at the end of their second year in college.  If you are interested, click here to get more information or contact the Chemistry Department.

For more information about Dr. Pak's research, click here.
For more information about other chemistry faculty members' research, click here.
For more information about ISU CHEM BS/MS program, click here.
To learn more about chemistry scholarship program, click here. 

Back to Dr. Pak's Homepage
Modified July 2005