Expanding Access to Undergraduate Research Opportunities via an Introductory Research Course

Collaborative student-faculty research has been a crucial component of the Chemistry & Biochemistry undergraduate curriculum at Santa Clara University for decades. These projects have resulted in a wide array of off-campus student presentations and co-authored publications. Participation in undergraduate research has also been demonstrated to substantially increase a sense of belonging for students, leading to increases in retention and achievements within and outside the classroom. Unfortunately, these benefits have tended to disproportionately favor students who, upon beginning college, already recognize the value of undergraduate research and know how to gain access to our research laboratories. We have recently redeveloped an Introduction to Research course deliberately aimed at expanding awareness of and access to our undergraduate research program within the first two years of their curriculum. This course combines some actual experimental work with broader discussions of research experience. This talk will outline the components and structure of this new course, discuss the modular nature of its design, and report on its success to-date in expanding student access.