Duquesne University is excited to invite undergraduate biochemistry and chemistry majors interested in research to apply for the Integrated Computational and Experimental Chemistry REU-ASSURE Program this summer sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense's Awards to Stimulate and Support Undergraduate Research Education (ASSURE) program in collaboration with the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program.

The novelty of the site is that students will learn how to integrate computational techniques into their repertoire of problem solving skills to be more effective in the laboratory. The objective is to provide the REU-ASSURE students with:

(1) meaningful and novel 10-week chemical research experiences (May 19, 2008 to July 25, 2008) in exciting and broad scientific themes, such as nanotechnology, homeland security, advanced instrumentation, forensic sciences, pharmaceutical drug design and chemical biology.

(2) training by academic and industrial experts on the fundamentals of molecular modeling, and the use of state-of-the-art computational facilities and modern software to advance experimental research.

(3) professional development through biweekly exposure to graduate students and world-renown industrial experts from Gaussian, IBM, SGI and CCG, and academic faculty from Yale, UCLA, Scripps, Northwestern, and the Pittsburgh Super Computer Center.

(4) ethics training by Duquesne staff and faculty, cumulating in a final ethics symposia attended by summer research undergraduates from Duquesne Univ., Univ. of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon Univ., and Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative .

(5) final research symposia attended by over 100 summer research undergraduates from more than twenty different schools from Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia .

The assumption is that the students will enter with little or no understanding of computational chemistry. The process of teaching undergraduate students how to utilize computational tools will begin with a three evening computational workshop, during the first week of the 10-week URP schedule. The workshop will continue as needed once a week, until the students master the basic skills of molecular modeling.

Each student will work as a team member with other graduate students and faculty members. However, each REU-ASSURE student will have a research project independent of the other REU-ASSURE students. Each project has many components and possible directions. Depending upon the level of the student, the goals set for each will vary. The faculty will adapt to maximize the impact of the research experience on each individual research student. The objective is to have each student rise to his or her highest possible potential, and have a positive and productive experience. Each project taken on by a student is intended to be publishable and assist the student in their scientific growth.

Each participant will choose an active research group in which to conduct an independent experimental research project directed by a member of our faculty. The carefully crafted project will involve a need for computational modeling. The students will learn both electronic structure methods and molecular dynamics simulations and will be assigned a computational mentor to complement their research experience. Participants will be expected to spend approximately 40 hours per week on their research problem and consult with their advisor on a regular basis.

Applications are sought from undergraduate science majors (preference will be given to biochemistry and chemistry majors) who have completed at least one semester of organic chemistry and laboratory. Visit Summer Program to review application requirements and to download an application.

Applications received after March 3, 2008 will not be considered.

Successful applicants will receive a stipend, starting at $3,300 (depending on funding from the NSF and DoD), University dormitory accommodations and a subsidy for travel.