Research for Academic Credit

Chemistry/Biochemistry Special Studies applications (CHEM 99, 197, 199) require you to fill out a complete application in order to be processed. We recommend getting started on your application AT LEAST ONE WEEK before the deadline.

Please note: submitting your application several weeks or months early will not result in a faster processing time.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The deadlines above refer to the date of initial submission. The application will not be fully processed or on your schedule by the deadline, and the application will be considered on-time if originally submitted by the above dates.

CHEM 99

Description: Intended literature or laboratory research under the direction of a member of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty.

Eligibility:

• Minimum of 30 units completed (including units transferred to UCSD, e.g., AP units) and no more than 90 units completed prior to the quarter of participation
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative UC GPA prior to quarter of participation

Workload Options:

• 6-11 hours per week (2 units)
• 12-15 hours per week (4 units)

Please note that if you are enrolling in CHEM 99 for either Summer Session 1 or 2, you will need to follow the workload options below as the timeline is half time compared to a normal quarter: 

12-22 hours per week (2 units) 
24-30 hours per week (4 units)

*If you are applying for Special Summer session (i.e. the full summer), you can follow the workload options for a normal academic year and not the modified one above. 

How to Enroll: See "How to Apply" below and follow steps to submit your CHEM 99 application through the EASy System.

Note: If your Special Studies application has not been added to your schedule by Monday of Week 5, please contact a Chemistry Academic Advisor immediately.

CHEM 199

Description: Independent literature or laboratory research under the direction of a member of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty.

Eligibility:

• Minimum of 90 units completed (including units transferred to UCSD, e.g., AP units) prior to the quarter of participation
• Minimum of 2.5 cumulative UC GPA prior to quarter of participation

Workload Options:

• 6-11 hours per week (2 units)
• 12-15 hours per week (4 units)

Please note that if you are enrolling in CHEM 199 for either Summer Session 1 or 2, you will need to follow the workload options below as the timeline is half time compared to a normal quarter: 

12-22 hours per week (2 units) 
24-30 hours per week (4 units)

*If you are applying for Special Summer session (i.e. the full summer), you can follow the workload options for a normal academic year and not the modified one above. 

How to Enroll: See "How to Apply" below and follow steps to submit your CHEM 199 application through the EASy System.

CHEM 197

Description: The Chemistry Internship Program is a partnership between the UCSD Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Academic Internship Program. The program provides opportunities for students to find and gain academic credit for research-based internships in local companies/institutes/organizations.

Eligibility:

• Minimum of 90 units completed (including units transferred to UCSD, e.g., AP units) prior to the quarter of participation
• Minimum of 2.5 cumulative UC GPA prior to quarter of participation

Workload Options:

• 6-11 hours per week (2 units)
• 12-15 hours per week (4 units)

Requirements:

• Minimum one quarter commitment.
• Complete Learning Agreement must be submitted by the stated deadline. The Learning Agreement and subsequent enrollment are subject to approval of the Academic Internship Program and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
• Reflection Component: Mid-quarter check-in, informational interview assignment, and Final Self-Evaluation and Program Evaluation facilitated by AIP.
• Final Deliverable:
  • Project proposal addressing research question, motivation, significance, and expected results.
  • Final report with substantive academic content and analytical focus.
• Supervisor Evaluation: Internship supervisor completes evaluation via InternLink, verifying completed hours and providing feedback on performance. Students should seek feedback during the internship.

Step 1: Identify an Eligible Faculty Member

• Identify an eligible, active UCSD faculty member from the main alphabetical directory (Chemistry & Biochemistry and Affiliate Faculty) on our website, including Emeritus faculty.
• Obtain their approval to participate in their lab.

Step 2: Complete Online Safety Trainings

• Complete two online safety trainings:
  • "UC Laboratory Safety Fundamentals" Training certificate (valid for 3 years from completion).
  • "Annual Laboratory Hazards Training" Training certificate (valid for 1 year from completion).
• Access the training by logging in to uclearning.ucsd.edu with your Student Sign On and search for the course titles.

Step 3: Complete the Safety Requirement Form

• Ensure the safety requirement form is recently signed within the last 3 weeks from when you submit your application.
• Required signatures:
  • Student signature
  • Faculty member (PI) signature
• EH&S signature is not required for applications submitted FA20 or later. Virtual PPE fitting is still required.

Step 4: Upload Files to Special Studies Online Application (through EASy)

• Upload three files to the Special Studies online application:
  • "UC Laboratory Safety Fundamentals" Training Certificate
  • "Annual Laboratory Hazards Training" Training Certificate
  • Safety requirement form

Step 5: Wait for Application Decision

• You will be notified when your application decision is finalized.
• Application may require several levels of approval and may be returned to the student for revisions.
• Application may take up to 2 weeks to process, with most applications finalized between week 2 and week 4 of the quarter.
• If approved, your petition will be routed to the Registrar who will add you to the course.

Important Notes:

• If CHEM 99/199 has not been added to your schedule by Monday of Week 5 (Fall, Winter, Spring) or Monday of Week 3 (Summer Session), contact a Chemistry Academic Advisor immediately.
• UCSD add deadline is Friday of Week 2, but Special Studies petitions are exceptions to this deadline. If your application is approved after the add deadline, your petition will still be routed to the registrar and you will be added to the course.

Step 1: Internship Acquisition

Option 1: Via InternLink

• Search for approved internships through AIP’s InternLink database, selecting the Chemistry Internship Program from a drop-down list.
• Upload resume, cover letter, and other required documents to InternLink. Apply by clicking the “Apply” button or following instructions provided by the internship organization.
• Internship organizations contact students directly for interviews and select preferred candidate(s).
• If selected, submit a learning agreement in InternLink (see STEP 2 below).

Option 2: Independent Internship

• Request credit for an internship secured independently using campus, online, or personal resources.
• If the internship is not in InternLink, indicate “Add New Organization” in the Learning Agreement submitted via InternLink.
• New internships are reviewed against criteria (I.) below. If approved, the organization will be added to InternLink.
• If approved and selected, submit a learning agreement in InternLink (see STEP 3 below).

Step 2: Submit Learning Agreement

• Compile information about your internship, including:
  • Project questions, motivation, significance, and how they build upon existing knowledge.
  • General plan of work, including methodologies, procedures, and collaboration details.
  • Related papers and readings.
  • Description of your participation in the supporting lab/unit.
• Log into InternLink, navigate to the Learning Agreement form, and click "Add New Experience."
• Complete and submit your form.

Step 3: Review and Approval

• AIP reviews Learning Agreements to determine if internships meet academic credit criteria.
• Approved agreements are routed to the Internship Supervisor for approval.

Step 4: Download Approved Agreement

• Once approved, download a PDF of your learning agreement.

Step 5: Enrollment

• Log into Enrollment Authorization System (EASy) and submit a special studies enrollment request, following instructions for CHEM 197.
• Upload your learning agreement.
• If approved, your request will be sent to the Registrar's Office for Enrollment.

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END OF THE QUARTER REQUIREMENTS:

• Final Deliverable:
  • Project proposal addressing research question, motivation, significance, and expected results.
  • Final report with substantive academic content and analytical focus.
• Reflection Component:
  • Mid-quarter check-in, informational interview assignment, and Final Self-Evaluation and Program Evaluation facilitated by AIP.
• Supervisor Evaluation:
  • Internship supervisor completes evaluation via InternLink, verifying completed hours and providing feedback on performance. Students should seek feedback during the internship.