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Research Tutorials: Chemistry and Biochemistry Undergraduate Research Courses Course Information and Grading Policies Research Final Report Guidelines Chemistry and Biochemistry majors with interests in specific areas of Chemistry or Biochemistry are encouraged to participate in undergraduate research and enroll in a Research Tutorial course to receive academic credit for their efforts. Students working with a Chemistry or Biochemistry professor should sign up for a Research Tutorial in this department. Students working with faculty in other departments should see the other department for information about enrolling in their Research Tutorials. Previously, these courses were commonly referred to at “199’s”. Please read all of the information below as some of the previous rules and enrollment procedures have changed. Prerequisites for participation include junior standing with a 3.0 GPA in the major OR senior standing OR consent of the instructor and department chair. Preparation for Research Tutorials with a professor should be set up well in advance of the quarter. The Undergraduate Office, in 4009 Young Hall, provides a list of the faculty and a short description of their research. This information can also be found online at www.chem.ucla.edu/faculty. Interested students should contact faculty members directly to inquire about research positions and for help developing a research proposal. To enroll, students must completely fill out the proper petition form and write a proposal outlining the research project. Petitions can be found under “special studies courses” on your MyUCLA page and downloaded (review different courses below to make sure you’re using the correct form). The proposal instructions and additional enrollment information can be picked up in 4009 Young Hall. The petition and proposal MUST be evaluated and approved BEFORE enrollment is granted. The deadline to turn in proposals and petitions to 4009 Young Hall is the Monday of the second week of the quarter. COURSE INFORMATION AND GRADING POLICIES There are three different Research Tutorials in which students can enroll. The appropriate course is determined by the student’s previous Research Tutorials completed. The first 8 units must be done on a P/NP basis. Any additional units may be taken for a grade. Typically, students enroll in Research Tutorials for 4 units, which usually requires working 12-20 hrs/week (monitored by the instructor). To enroll in more/less than 4 units, please see the Undergraduate Office for more information. Chem 196A (previously 199A): Research Apprenticeship (take during 1st & 2nd research quarters) To be taken for the first 8 units of Research Tutorials in Chemistry and Biochemistry. Variable 2 to 4 units a quarter. Mandatory P/NP grading. Chem 196B (previously 199B): Research Apprenticeship (take during 3rd research quarter) Prerequisites: 8 units of 196A, consent of instructor, and consent of department chair. Variable 2 to 4 units per quarter. P/NP or letter grading, Chem 199 (previously 190):Directed Research or Senior Project (take during final research quarters) Prerequisites: 8 units of 196A on related material, consent of instructor, and consent of department chair. Variable 2-4 units per quarter. Can be repeated for 12 units max.
(New and Continuing Research Tutorial Students) In order to enroll in Chemistry & Biochemistry Research Tutorial, you are required to submit a research proposal describing your research project for the quarter. Clearly describing your research project now will aid you in carrying out the research during the quarter and aid you in writing your research report which must be submitted at the end of the quarter. You should work with your research mentor in preparing your proposal and research report. The College of Letters and Science Research Counselor, Dr. Audrey Cramer, can also assist you in preparing your research proposal and report. Appointments with Dr. Cramer can be made in the Undergraduate Research Center, 2121 Life Science (310-794-4227). Your research proposal should include the following: 1. A descriptive Title. 2. A brief (<250 words) Abstract describing the background, long-term goal(s), short-term objectives, and specific methods of investigation of your proposed research project. 3. A brief Introduction summarizing the background of your proposed investigation and your previous research accomplishments on the project (if applicable). The background should clearly summarize the essential chemistry or biochemistry relevant to your project and place your project in context of known science. You must have citations to the scientific literature. Indicate how this quarter's objectives relate to the work you have completed in previous quarters (if applicable). Explain how it is different (if applicable). 4. A description of what you propose to do (Methods). What hypotheses will your work test or what questions do you hope to answer? Describe the tasks or plan of experiments you will be performing including laboratory techniques you will be learning (or applying) and the kind of data you will be collecting (if applicable). 5. A brief Discussion describing how your proposed experiments will contribute to the short or long-term objectives of you research project- i.e. how does your work fit into the "big picture". Describe the direction your research project will follow in succeeding quarters. 6. A list of cited References using the proper format for literature citations. For Chemistry research use the format found in the Journal of the American Chemical Society and for Biochemistry research use the format found in Biochemistry.
RESEARCH FINAL REPORT GUIDELINES Research
Reports can describe the results of a single term's research progress, or, for
those planning to submit an undergraduate thesis, can incorporate the term's
results into the report prepared for previous work on the same project. In the
latter case, each section of the report should be updated to reflect new
information which became available during the term (e.g. references to related
work, etc.). Reports should be prepared in the following format. The following describes, in general terms, the format for
all scientific reports. However, the details of the "Materials and Methods"
(or experimental) and references sections vary according to practices within
certain fields. Look at research publications in your research area to see how
information is typically presented. The "Instructions to Authors" guide in the
first issue of the year for any journal provides detailed instructions for
preparing papers. Also, consult books such as "The ACS Style Guide" by Janet
S. Dodd for details on all aspects of scientific reports. The
introduction should include a description of the research area, pertinent
background information and testable hypotheses, and the long and short term
goals of the project. It should provide sufficient background information
(with literature citations) so that a scientifically literate reader can
understand and appreciate the experiments to be described. The specific aims
of the project should be identified along with a rationale for the experiments
performed.
References: Liu, Y., van Heeswijck, R., Høj, P., and Hoogenraad, N. (1995) Purification and characterization of ornithine acetyltransferase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Eur.
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