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Chemistry & Biochemistry Scholars Program

A Four-Year Research Program and Scholarship, Too!

Research is at the heart of the study of chemistry and biochemistry. That's why it's surprising that most undergraduate chemistry curricula have only a small research component, mainly reserved for seniors. What is not surprising is that WPI, one of the most innovative universities in the nation, has changed the way students learn by creating the Chemistry and Biochemistry Scholars Program (CBSP). Students selected for the CBSP will receive:

• special academic advising.
• research opportunities throughout all four years.
• opportunities to attend on-campus chemistry colloquia and special meetings with the guest lecturers.
• field trips and tours to industry sites.
• admission to the chemistry B.S./M.S. program.
• a CBSP scholarship, which will vary in amounts, but typically ranges between $12,500 and $25,000, and are renewable for four years.

WPI's Chemistry and Biochemistry Department attempts to expose all of its students to original research. Our course and project offerings help students become acquainted with modern experimental techniques and sophisticated equipment. And now with the creation of the CBSP, students may begin working in faculty-directed research labs as early as the freshman year. They will be assisting researchers in their attempt to solve some very real problems facing our society, Alzheimer's Disease, for instance, or the destruction by crop pests plaguing production worldwide.

Combined B.S./M.S. Degree Program

This program allows students to earn both bachelor of science and master of science degrees in five years instead of the usual six. While all CBSP participants are automatically admitted into the program (assuming satisfactory academic achievement), none are bound to continue to the M.S. The flexibility of WPI's academic approach, the WPI Plan, allows juniors and seniors to enroll in graduate-level chemistry courses that can be counted toward requirements for both degrees, thereby cutting one year off the usual time required to achieve a master's degree.

The Best Speakers

We think it's important for students to have exposure to leaders in the field. That's why the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department enhances its curriculum by sponsoring several lectures on timely chemistry topics given by reputable professionals and researchers. We'll arrange for Chemistry and Biochemistry Scholars to attend a special meeting with the speakers to discuss issues and research opportunities.

Here is just a small listing of recent colloquia held at WPI:

• "Cleaning Up: Uptake of Xenobiotics as the First Step in Biodegradation"
  Dr. Bert van den Berg, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Program in Molecular Medicine
• "Molecules and Molecular Mimetics"
  Dr. Thomas D. Clark, Research Chemist, Division of Chemistry, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC
• "A Chemist's Approach to High-Aspect Ratio Nanowires "
  Prof. Byron D. Gates, Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
• "Superoxide Dismutase and ALS: How do mutations alter the folding energy surface?"
  C. Robert Matthews, Professor and Chair, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, UMass Medical School
• "Design, Synthesis and Properties of Low-Dimensional Antiferromagnets"
  Prof. Mark M. Turnbull Chairman, Carlson School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Clark University
• Forensic Science Colloquium "Crime Scene Photography"
  Det. Lt. Richard D. Lauria, Division of Standards and Training, Massachusetts State Police Headquarters
• "System Structure-Function Analysis. An Approach for Linking Structure and Effects of Medicine"
  Dr. Robert A. Volkmann, Pfizer Global Research and Development, Pfizer Inc

Facilities

All CBSP research is conducted on campus. We provide our students with easy access to our laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment. As a Chemistry or Biochemistry Scholar, you may find yourself using the following instrumentation in one or more of our many laboratories:

• Lifetime fluorescence spectrometer
• Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometers
• Capillary Electrophoresis
• High-field Nuclear Magnetic resonance spectrometer
• High pressure liquid chromatography
• DNA Thermocyclers (PCR)
• UV/Visible Spectrophotometers
• Gas chromatographs

Academic Scholarship

Regardless of financial circumstances, each CBSP participant will be guaranteed a CBSP scholarship, which will vary in amounts, but typically ranges between $12,500 and $25,000, and are renewable for four years. Families may well be eligible for much more aid, based on financial need. To be considered for the scholarship, simply apply as a chemistry or biochemistry major. No special application is required. To apply for need-based aid, please file the FAFSA and CSS Profile. See your guidance counselor or check in with Financial Aid at WPI (finaid@wpi.edu for details).

Admission

Applicants indicating chemistry or biochemistry as their intended area of study will automatically be considered for the program. Selection by the Admissions Committee will be based upon the applicant's academic performance in high school, standardized test scores, leadership, extracurricular involvement and community service. Students selected for this highly competitive program will be given the opportunity to participate in faculty research within these departments beginning in the freshman year. In addition to the scholars program, each CBSP Scholar receives an academic merit scholarship. Scholarship amounts will vary, but typically range between $12,500 and $25,000, and are renewable for four years.

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Last modified: October 12, 2007 16:25:48