Freshmen and research at Xavier University of Louisiana

CHED 1613

Ruquia B. Ahmed-Schofield, rahmed@xula.edu, Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana, 1 Drexel Drive, New Orleans, LA 70125, Michael R. Adams, mradams@xula.edu, Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana, 1 Drexel Drive, New Orleans, LA 70125, and Ralph Isovitsch, risovits@whittier.edu, Department of Chemistry, Whittier College, 13406 Philadelphia Street, Whittier, CA 90608.
The Xavier University chemistry department has successfully implemented an NSF funded pilot program to introduce freshmen into its well-established culture of research. The program began with freshman participants enrolling in a one-credit research skills class, which included discussions of notebook keeping, scientific reporting and ethics. Laboratory rotations allowed participants to select an appropriate research mentor with whom they would do research with for their tenure in the program. Enrichment activities during the first and second years of the program reinforced research skills and offered information about careers in the chemical sciences. This program also had a component for local high school students. Despite the interruption of Hurricane Katrina, we were able to provide program participants with this truly invaluable experience.
 

General Papers
1:00 PM-3:40 PM, Thursday, April 10, 2008 Hilton New Orleans Riverside -- HEC A, Oral

Division of Chemical Education

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008