Hands-on research experience is a key part of a Simmons science education. All Simmons students engage in a year-long senior Independent Learning project as part of their program.
In chemistry, Independent Learning means current research, at Simmons or in one of the many other research laboratories in Boston. Research gives students the opportunity to put their knowledge to work. With her faculty adviser, each student plans and performs experimental work, and she analyzes and documents her results. Each student writes a senior thesis based on her research and defends the thesis in an oral exam. Our graduates report that this experience is invaluable preparation for job interviews and for graduate school. Research opportunities are also open to students as early as the freshman year.
Hands-on Experience with Modern Equipment
Simmons chemistry students begin using up-to-date laboratory instruments in the very first chemistry course and continue to build this hands-on experience throughout the curriculum. Simmons graduates are known for their ability to take on laboratory projects with a minimum of supervision. Computers are used extensively throughout the various chemistry-related programs.
Individual Student Chemistry Carrels
Each Simmons student who declares a chemistry-related major gets an individual laboratory carrel in our Independent Study Laboratory. Students are encouraged to do laboratory work in their carrels, where they can work individually or together, calling on Faculty for guidance as needed.
Easy Contact with Faculty
Although the Simmons chemistry faculty are actively involved in research, we feel that research should not take us away from our students. Simmons students are actively involved in our research as part of their Independent Study work. We are always glad to meet with students outside of class individually or in small groups.
Representative Senior Theses in Chemistry and Biochemistry
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Vivian Yu '08
"A Search for Endocrine Disruptors in the Muddy River" -
Jennifer Boice ‘08
“A Green Process to Depolymerize Polylactic Acid” -
Shauna Tracy ‘08
“Analysis of Steroids Using MALDI-TOF Post Source Decay”
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Mai Tran ‘08
“Crosslinking Polylactic Acid”
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Susanna Wong '07
"Synthesis of Amino Acid Terminated Thiols for the Preparation of Biomimetic Crystal Nucleation Templates via Self-Assembly" -
Supicha Kridaratikorn '07
"The Analysis of Historically Significant Dyes via MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry" -
Christina Wong '07
"The Evaluation of NADPH-Dependent Ketoreductase Enzymes and Their Ability to Reduce Hindered Acetophenones" -
Alison Bergeron '06
"Identification of Protein Partners Using Peptide Mass Fingerprinting" -
Kathy Chaurasiya '06
"Characterization of ß-Amyloid (1-42) Aggregation by Dynamic Light Scattering" -
Teresa Rizzi '06
"Evaluation of Volatile Sulfur Compounds in Muddy River Sediment and Their Potential Impact on Remediation Activities" -
Leigh Brody '05
"The Purification & Characterization of YjjQ" -
Amanda Hagar '05
"Development of an Analytical Procedure for Identifying Dyes in Art Historical Research" -
Firdous Qadir '05
"Modeling the Interactions of Impurities with Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate Crystals" -
Erica Gunn '04
"Synthesis, Characterization and Use of Ruthenium Bipyridine Complexes in Organic Light Emitting Diodes" -
Hannah Knowles '04
"A Validation of Two Forensic Procedures for the Detection of Salivary Amylase"