With financial support from the National Science Foundation, the Department of Chemistry and grants from individual investigators, the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) is held each summer. College students from Clemson and from institutions across the US conduct research during 10 weeks with one of 24 research active faculty members working in all traditional areas of chemistry analytical, physical, organic and inorganic, as well as in non-traditional and interdisciplinary areas, including bioanalytical-, bio-inorganic-, fluorine-, fullerene-, medicinal/natural products-, polymer-, solid-state materials-, supramolecular-, surface-, and theoretical-chemistry, chemical education, chemical physics, electrochemistry, fuel-cell research, laser spectroscopy, photochemistry, and x-ray/neutron scattering. For more detailed research descriptions click here: http://chemistry.clemson.edu/research/index.htm.

In addition to intensive original research with our faculty, students are also exposed to advanced techniques, such as high-field NMR spectroscopy, computational chemistry, cooperative educational methods, electrochemistry, X-ray diffraction analysis, mass spectroscopy and laser spectroscopy through a number of workshops offered by departmental faculty. Students will visit the R & D laboratory facilities of a local industry for a chance to interview their technicians and research scientists. Career development tutorials are also offered throughout the program, including traditional and non-traditional career paths for chemists, how to prepare oral presentations, writing journal articles and the peer review process, how to select a graduate program, etc. Social interaction is encouraged through a “get-acquainted” picnic, a raft trip on the Nantahala River and several sports activities.

The program culminates in a final symposium at which the students present the results of their summer’s efforts. The symposium follows a poster session format, and begins with an opening lecture presented by an eminent member of the scientific community. Past speakers include: Professor Harry Gray of Cal-Tech; former shuttle astronaut, Professor Lawrence DeLucas of the University of Alabama-Birmingham; Professor Albert Meyers of Colorado State University, Professor Art Ellis of the University of Wisconsin, Professor Angelica Stacey of UC-Berkeley, Professor Royce Murry of the University of North Carolina, Professor Cynthia Friend of Harvard University, Professor Fred Wudl of UCLA, Professor Alex Pines of UC-Berkeley, Professor Fraser Stoddart of UCLA, Professor Jonathan Sessler of U Texas at Austin, and Professor Miguel Garcia-Garibay of UCLA.

College students admitted to the program will receive:

1. A stipend of $4,000 for the 10-week program payable in 2 installments.

2. Free housing in a university dormitory shared with another SURP participant.

3. Partial travel reimbursement (up to $500).