Transcript Undergraduate Research at UNC Pembroke Paul A. Flowers Department of Chemistry and Physics

Undergraduate Research at
UNC Pembroke
Paul A. Flowers
Department of Chemistry and Physics
The University of North Carolina
UNC Pembroke
• predominantly undergraduate
• enrollment ca. 3000
• ca. 25% Native American
The Department
• four fttt chemistry faculty (3 physicists)
• ca. 50-60 majors (average 10 grads/yr)
• ca. 50% Native American
Chemistry Majors and Graduates
1990 - 1998
Postgraduation Activity of Majors
(average percentages for 1990-1998)
graduate
19%
professional
12%
industry
69%
Re-search \Re-search"\ (r?-s?rch"), v. t. [Pref. re- +
search.] To search again; to examine anew.
Research \Re*search"\ (r?-s?rch"), n. [Pref. re- +
search: cf OF. recerche, F. recherche.] Diligent
inquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles;
laborius or continued search after truth; as,
researches of human wisdom.
Research \Re*search"\, v. t. [Pref. re- + search: cf.
OF. recerchier, F. rechercher.] To search or examine
with continued care; to seek diligently.
research n 1: systematic investigation to establish
facts 2: a search for knowledge; "their pottery
deserves more study than it has received" [syn:
inquiry, enquiry] v 1: "The student researched the
history of that word" [syn: attempt to find out] 2:
inquire into [syn: search, explore]
Teach \Teach\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Taught; p. pr. & vb. n. Teaching.] [OE. techen, imp. taughte, tahte, AS.
t?cean, imp. t?hte, to show, teach, akin to t[=a]cn token. See Token.] 1. To impart the knowledge of; to
give intelligence concerning; to impart, as knowledge before unknown, or rules for practice; to inculcate
as true or important; to exhibit impressively; as, to teach arithmetic, dancing, music, or the like; to teach
morals.
If some men teach wicked things, it must be that others should practice them. --South.
2. To direct, as an instructor; to manage, as a preceptor; to guide the studies of; to instruct; to inform; to
conduct through a course of studies; as, to teach a child or a class. ``He taught his disciples.'' --Mark ix.
31.
The village master taught his little school. --Goldsmith.
Teaching \Teach"ing\, n. The act or business of instructing; also, that which is taught; instruction.
Syn: Education; instruction; breeding. See Education.
teaching n 1: the profession of a teacher; "he prepared for teaching while still in college"; "pedagogy is
recognized as an important profession" [syn: instruction, pedagogy] 2: [syn: precept] 3: activities that
impart knowledge; "he received no formal education" [syn: education, instruction, pedagogy, educational
activity] 4: [syn: teachings]
Vehicles for Undergraduate
Research in Chemistry at UNCP
• standard curriculum (CHM 399 “Research in
Chemistry; CHM 499 “Independent Study”)
• university honors curriculum (Chancellor’s
Scholars Program)
• summer research appointments (external grant
support)
• off-campus research appointments (not exactly
“at UNCP”)
Undergraduate Research Activity
in Chemistry
1988 - 1998
14
12
10
# students 8
6
4
2
0
1988
1990
1992
1994
year
1996
1998
Support for
Undergraduate Research
• financial support from the “usual” sources, best
chances with those programs targeting PUIs (NSFRUI, NSF-REU, ACS-PRF(B), etc.)
• modest funding (e.g., for supplies) might be obtained
via departmental budgets or other internal sources
(e.g., UNCP Faculty Research & Development
Committee, various “slush” funds)
• “nonfunds” support from colleagues and various
organizations (e.g., CUR, NCUR)
…in its eighth year, the
annual North Carolina
Conference on
Undergraduate
Research provides a
forum for presentation
of undergraduate
research in various
disciplines…the
organizing group has
provided intermittent
funding for summer
research in years past...
Good News
• stimulates student
and faculty intellect
• may further
professional
development of
faculty
• enhances student
credentials
• excellent vehicle for
student learning
Bad News
• requires large
amounts of time
(student supervision,
quest for funds,
publication, etc.)
• rarely carries “credit”
towards faculty
workloads (inherently
small student-teacher
ratio)
Thoughts on a “Remedy”
• design research projects both scientifically
sound and conducive to undergraduate
involvement (may require alterations of
faculty “interests”)
• incorporate project-related research activities
into traditional curricula, hence receiving
workload credit by default
• strive towards individual, department, and
university commitment (sequentially)
One Example Nearly Begun...
• on-going research projects: (1) “Dissolution and
Electroreduction of Carbon Dioxide in Molten Salt
Hydrates”, and (2) “Analytical Spectroelectrochemistry”
• project’s experimental work encompasses the
techniques typically included in a traditional
advanced analytical chemistry course
• students in CHM 327 will become a “research
group” during the semester’s second half, working
independently on various aspects of the project
• exploits a recently implemented, laboratoryintensive course format (for details, see the course
webpage at www.uncp.edu/home/pwf/327.htm)
Concluding Thoughts
• in learning science, there’s no substitute for
traditional experimental research, closely
supervised by a faculty mentor
• in many PUI environments, there’s no way to
realistically engage a justifiable enrollment in such
research (“justifiable” in terms of concrete
administrative realities like FTEs)
• consequently, undergraduate research
supervision is essentially pro bono in regard to
faculty workloads
• in this light, complementation of research and
traditional curriculum concepts might be a viable
compromise
Acknowledgements
• ACS, HHMI, NCBC, NSF, Research Corp, and UNCP for
financial support
• T.R. Blackburn and the late G. Mamantov for their
mentorship and other positive influences
• R.M. Wightman (UNCCH) and E.F. Bowden (NCSU) for
their consistent support and counsel throughout my
professorship
• J.J. D’Arruda (UNCP) for his Departmental leadership
• Departmental colleagues for their assistance and
encouragement
• student research assistants for providing my motivation
and opportunity