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Research Rotation Program

In the Fall of 2002, the Emory University Chemistry Department graduate Program introduced a research rotation program for first-year students. This program has proven to be extremely popular with our students, who uniformly stated that it was helpful to work in two or three laboratories prior to making the final decision on a research advisor. Students receive course credit for CHEM 504 (pass-no credit grading)

* Goals of the rotation experience
* Structure of the rotation experience
* Activities of the rotation experience

Goals of the rotation experience

1. To help first-year students make better informed decisions regarding research advisor selection;
2. To encourage these students to learn more about research in the chemistry department at Emory;
3. To give students a first-hand experience in the research culture and mentoring styles of different laboratories;
4. To give students the short-term opportunity to closely consider research in an area of chemistry different from their first choice at the time that they entered Emory;
5. To encourage upper-level graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in the various laboratories to discuss their research with new graduate students and
6. To encourage development of collaborations between two or more laboratories, with the possibility of students working with two research advisors.

Structure of the rotation experience

1. From late August through mid-September, students will attend research presentations by faculty. All members of the graduate faculty make a 20-minute presentation to the entire group of first-year students. These seminars will be scheduled for three or four evenings a week, and we anticipate 3 presentations per evening. We try to schedule a diverse group of three faculty for each evening, i.e. from different divisions or interest areas of chemistry. These presentations are usually completed by mid September.

2. After further one-on-one meetings with potential faculty mentors for the research rotation experience, students can select a schedule with research rotations with two faculty or with three faculty. Students submit their choices of rotation advisors by September 16, 2008. The following calendar is proposed for 2008-2009:

3. A student may change their choice of the second and/or third rotation advisor during an earlier rotation period. The order of the rotations is arranged by the graduate program coordinator in consultation with the director of graduate studies. Priority is given to scheduling students as evenly as possible across all of the rotation periods, except if a faculty member arranges in advance not to schedule rotations during one of the periods due to sabbatical, extensive travel, etc.

4. Students will submit their choice of research advisor on Friday, February 6, 2009. The faculty will meet the following Monday to discuss research laboratory assignments. Historically 95% of all students are accepted by their first choice of research advisor.

Activities of the rotation experience

1. Faculty are permitted considerable flexibility in assigning rotation activities, and should keep in mind that students who elect to take three (instead of two) courses in the fall semester will have less time available for the rotation experience. At a minimum, satisfactory completion of the rotation will require attendance at all seminars/student seminars/journal club activities presented in the division, and all group seminar activities during the rotation period. It is reasonable for faculty to require a minimum hour-per-week requirement for students doing rotations in their lab (which includes divisional and group seminar attendance). Faculty expectations should be discussed with students during the one-on-one meetings prior to selection of rotation advisors. At their discretion, faculty may provide rotation students with a supervised laboratory experience during the rotation period, which should be assigned on the first day of the rotation period.