Overview
This overview is specific to the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. For more information on another department’s research courses, please contact the respective department.
Our department offers four undergraduate research courses: 1) Chem 99, 2) Chem 196A, 3) Chem 196B, and 4) Chem 199. Please see below for an overview on each course.
Chem 99: Student Research Program
Course Description: Entry-level research for lower-division students under guidance of faculty mentor. Students must be in good academic standing and enrolled in minimum of 12 units (excluding this course). Individual contract required. For enrollment, please consult the Undergraduate Research Center.
Time Commitment: During the academic year, students who are working 3-5 hours per week can enroll in one unit and students working 6-10 hours per week can enroll in two units.
Who is Eligible: Lower-division and first-quarter transfer students.
Units: Variable 1 to 2 units per quarter. May be taken for a maximum of 10 units.
Grading: Mandatory P/NP grading.
Chem 196A: Research Apprenticeship (take during 1st & 2nd research quarter)
Course Description: Entry-level research apprenticeship for upper-division students under guidance of faculty mentor. Culminating report required. To be taken for the first 8 units of Research Tutorials.
Time Commitment: 3 hours per week per unit.
Who is Eligible: Juniors/Seniors.
Units: Variable 2 to 4 units per quarter. May be taken for a maximum of 8 units.
Grading: Mandatory P/NP grading.
Chem 196B: Research Apprenticeship (take during 3rd research quarter)
Course Description: Research apprenticeship for upper-division students under guidance of faculty mentor. Culminating report required. To be taken after Chem 196A.
Time Commitment: 3 hours per week per unit.
Who is Eligible: Juniors/Seniors.
Units: Variable 2 to 4 units per quarter. May be taken for a maximum of 4 units.
Grading: P/NP or letter grading.
Chem 199: Directed Research (take during 4th research quarter and on)
Course Description: Supervised individual research under guidance of faculty mentor. Culminating report required. To be taken after Chem 196B.
Time Commitment: 3 hours per week per unit.
Who is Eligible: Juniors/Seniors.
Units: Variable 2 to 4 units per quarter. May be taken for a maximum of 12 units.
Grading: P/NP or letter grading.
Enrollment Instructions
- Go to the “Contracts” link on your MyUCLA page. Select and complete the appropriate contract (196A, 196B, or 199).
- In the area designated for the description of the project, write “See Attached.” A required written proposal must accompany your application. Instructions are on the back of this sheet. Assistance may also be received from your faculty mentor.
- In the area designated for the description of your tangible evidence to be completed at the end of the quarter, write “Report.” You will have to write a final report that is due to the Undergraduate Office by Friday of Finals week. Guidelines for the final report are available here.
- Obtain your faculty mentor’s signature on the Contract. The Undergraduate Office staff will obtain the Department Chair’s signature.
- A mandatory lab safety certification course through the Environment, Health & Safety Office must be completed and submitted with your application. A copy of the lab safety certification must be submitted each quarter, even if you previously submitted one. Enrollment will NOT be processed without this.
- Completed contracts, proposals, and the lab safety certification must be turned into the Undergraduate Office either in-person (Young Hall 3013) or via email (ugrad@chem.ucla.edu) by Friday of the second week of the quarter.