Supported By


Chemistry Connections for Community College Students (4Cs) at UC San Diego: Local research with a lasting impact (10 weeks during June-August + optional fall semester)


Program Overview:

Our NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates program offers first-year (or the equivalent) students attending the extensive network of two-year colleges within commuting distance of UC San Diego an intensive and integrated early undergraduate research experience in the chemical sciences, at the frontiers of materials synthesis, human health and disease, energy and environmental science. Prior research experience is neither required nor expected. Students will work closely with faculty and graduate students on a research project related to their interests. And “local” has its advantages – including extended time for research, training, and mentoring!


Goals:

Our program aims to:

  • Provide community college students the opportunity to participate actively in scientific discovery, to explore interests, and to develop new research skills and scientific knowledge that will enable their successful transition to university and careers in chemistry.

  • Engage graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty in mentoring that leads to more effective and inclusive research training and practices;

  • Foster local partnerships that connect opportunities and infrastructure – people as well as resources – and that can serve as new undergraduate research models.