The Bonds REU site consists of interdisciplinary Research Groups comprised of faculty and REU Participants from both chemistry and chemical engineering. Two Research Groups -- Biotechnology & Bioanalytical Applications and Nanomaterials & Structural Studies are featured in 2007.
Each participant is quickly paired with a graduate student mentor and a faculty mentor who guide the student through the research experience. You‘ll learn new laboratory techniques, gather and analyze data with state of the art equipment, and then pull the entire project together into a final poster presentation.
Professional Development SeminarsYou’ll also earn 3 CREDIT HOURS in Advanced Chemical Research Skills, a course you may transfer back to your home institution and use as a chemistry elective. This class will guide you through conducting a literature search, writing an abstract, maintaining a laboratory notebook, and professional presentations.
Site Visits of Industry / Research LabParticipants travel to Ecka Chemicals, a local chemical plant to see chemistry and chemical engineering in action. An overnight trip to the US Army Engineering Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, MS is a whirlwind tour of small scale and large scale microbiology, ecology, and chemical research in action.
Summer’s End Symposium and Closing Ceremonies.At the end of the summer, participants will present the results of their individual research projects in poster presentations open to the MSU research community and the public. A closing banquet ceremony will be held in honor of Bonds Participants and their accomplishments.
You’ll form a camaraderie with fellow participants, enjoy evening outings, movie nights, outdoor adventures, as well as a mid-summer’s party (in cooperation with other MSU REUs) as part of a fun filled summer! The group will also participate in a Big Dawg Adventure Challenge Course, a leadership workshop consisting of fun problem-solving chal- lenges and team trust activities.
T-Shirt Design Contest.An REU T-shirt design competition will be held. The design best symbolizing the collaborative nature of chemical research will be printed on complimentary T-shirts (additional shirts may be purchased).
Participants earn stipends of $3500 for the 10-week program. Additionally, participants are provided dormitory-style housing in the comfortable Herbert Hall and access to university recreational facilities, all within walking distance of the chemistry and chemical engineering buildings. Travel expenses must be pre-approved, but are reimbursed in accordance with MSU policy.