Starting
January 11,
2010, Directed Research (CHEM399) provides an opportunity for undergraduate
majors at the University
of Hawaii at Manoa to
receive academic credit while participating in research activities in
reaction dynamics, combustion chemistry, rocket propulsion chemistry,
atmospheric chemistry, astrochemistry, astrobiology, planetary chemistry, polymer
chemistry, or organo metallic chemistry. This
course is especially recommended for students who are considering the
possibility of continuing their studies to the Master's or Ph.D. level.
Typical projects are – but are not limited to:
1. Reaction Dynamics (NSF, DOE, NASA,
AFOSR, Keck),
2. Elementary reactions and formation of aromatic molecules like PAHs in
combustion flames (DOE),
3. The chemical evolution and origin of Titan’s atmosphere (NSF),
4. Reaction dynamics of boron atom reactions and their role in CVD,
combustion, and material sciences (AFOSR),
5. Surfaces of Kuiper Belt Objects (Keck, NASA)
6. Astrobiology & Solar System Ices - Aminoacids
and Sugars in Space - Life on Europa (NASA)
7. Radiation Stability of Organic
Polymers (AFOSR)
All projects involve laboratory work
and exposure students to cutting-edge experimental techniques and instruments
used in contemporary research. It is typical for a student to sign up for
one, two, or three credits of CHEM399 for
several successive semesters. As a rough guide, each credit hour of CHEM 399
involves one afternoon per week in the lab, but this varies from project to
project. At the end of the semester the student receives a letter grade.
There is no final examination, but some projects require a written report.
Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest (1 page) prior to
December 1, 2009, to Prof. Ralf I. Kaiser, Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai’i
at Manoa, 2545 The Mall, Honolulu,
HI 96822 USA
or via email to ralfk@hawaii.edu .
Participants will be selected by December 15,2009.
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