W. V. EVANS, F. P. CASSARETTO, and T. G. KLOSE' Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois
REsmRCA implies
original thought and independent investigation and generally can be realized only after certain fundamental techniques and facts have been mastered. Theterm undergraduate research by necessity carries the same connotation, and we do not believe i t ~ h o u l d . ~Undergraduate should ~h~ student in these be preparation for years should be encouraged to be research minded, to help him pick up the tools and techniques that answer "howu and uwhy.ll A thorough undergraduate course is in this sense undergraduate research. for independent re~~d~~ the training searoh is becoming more and more complex. me recent recommendation of the American Chemical Society setting forth the minimum requirements for the bathelor's degree in chemistry illustrates this point. This needed recommendation really telescopes five years of college work in chemistry into the four-year program. The elective hours of a major in chemistry are in effect nonexistent, and perhaps it is just as well. However, if the undergraduate student is to be trained in research technique it Tvould appear that some of his fundamental training in basic course work would have to be sacrificed. This sacrificein our opinion cannot be justified. me tirne a student has available during a school week for additional work is necessarily limited in an undergraduate course. Consecutive long periods of time are necessary for productive research work of any type. we have had limited experience in directing underpduate research among students who rated in the upper 10 per cent of their class. I n attempting to arrange a program for them, some would enthusiasti~ cally reportthat they had twofree hours on ~ three hours on nursday, and one hour on l+iday available for the project. The instructor directing the project found himself doing the undergraduate research. g'ime and skills in our opinion are wasted on such a project. we believe the ambitious, professionally minded, undergraduate student can profitmore from additional and more thorough course and laboratory perwork if tirne in an admittedly crowded 'Present address: Arizona State Colleee.
*KIRK,R. E., "Research for the Gdergradustete," J. CHEM.
EDUC., 9,280 (1932).
m i t ~ The possibility of the better students in the 1unlOr and senior classes being assigned problems that would have them repeat some of the current research Projects in the laboratory must be considered as a means for encouraging the research attitude in the undergraduate chemist. This sounds novel and refreshing until one realizes that modern texts and laboratory manuals are the results of the brilliant researches and proved work of well-seasoned investigators of a few years back. In this sense again, following additional course work is undergraduate research. We believe the serious undergraduate student can be inspired toward the research attitude, receive the same thrill of accomplishment, have his curiosity sharpened by his OW" first careful determination of molecular weights, his first "Grignard" preparation. Research work in the sciences is necessarily narrowing. If the undergraduate student is working in the laboratory with a graduate student or a professor it appears to us that the undergraduate student would be hindered by this limitation. I s it just to the undergraduate student to train him for months in a narrow, highly specialized field? The student should not be exploited in hack work.8 Fairness to the undergraduate student seems to point to more varied techniques and instrumentations that should be found in his course work. Another factor that should be considered in the crowding of the undergraduate students with so-called research courses in chemistry is the fact that the chemist is a member of society and should be trained to live a member of that society and get along with his fellow human beings. Perhaps some of his few elective subjects should be~ along nontechnical ~ d ~ , lines in the humanities. The American Chemical Society has encouraged members to Participate more actively in national and local politics and community endeavors. Chemists trained as critical unbiased observers can do much to safeguard our democratic principles for posterity. Perhaps a course or two in the social sciences for the undergraduate student will help him to be a better member of the society that nurtured him, to which he belongs, and to which he owes an obligation. ~HURD, C. B., "%me observations on undergraduate research in chemistry," J. CHEM.EDUC.,21,81 (1944).
