Science Technician Research Project
Overview
STEM students at Saint Paul College have the opportunity to enroll in CHEM 2791 Science Technician Research Project. The course is designed to provide these students with the skills necessary to enter the scientific workforce. Students are paired with a faculty and industry advisor and design and work towards the completion of a research project or the advancement of scientific knowledge. Students set their own hours with their advisors and are responsible for progressing through their project outlines by the end of the semester.
Saint Paul College partners with companies from a variety of fields such as aerospace, analytical chemistry, nanotechnology and biomedical engineering. The student’s faculty advisor will attempt to match the student’s interest with the company and project. Depending on the project and company, students will have the opportunity to work on a variety of scientific instrumentation and techniques such as:
- Scanning electron microscope (SEM)
- Atomic force microscope (AFM)
- Infrared spectrometer (IR)
- Gas chromatograph (GC)
- High performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC)
- Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
- Class 1000 cleanroom
- Cell culture
- Nanoparticle creation
- DNA and protein analysis
Students may also have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of other scientific, manufacturing, and testing equipment on site with the industry advisor.
Additional Benefits
- Working closely with an industry advisor will help grow a professional network. Both advisors could potentially serve as a professional reference.
- Students gain real world experience in their chosen field and can add this experience to their resumes and CVs.
- Students who choose to transfer to a 4-year institution to continue their education can use this experience to gain work as a lab technician or student worker.
