ChemSTAR

ChemSTAR

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ChemSTAR is not being offered in 2023. Please check back again later for info on our next session.

Apply Online

ChemSTAR is not being offered in 2023. Please check back again later for info on our next session.

Contact Us

For additional information about ChemSTAR please contact:

Gold Programs
goldprograms@berkeley.edu

Program Brochure

Download a ChemSTAR Brochure (PDF)

INTRODUCTION

The College of Chemistry's Guiding Outstanding Learners to Discover© (GOLD) programs are designed to empower students in high school and other undergraduate institutions to further their understanding of the chemical sciences and engineering. The programs provide structured curricula that incorporate seminars and lectures given by world-renowned faculty and scientific leaders in their fields. In some cases, the programs include hands-on experiences in the laboratory and/or classroom. These offerings are integrated with other strategies such as group problem solving activities, presentations, and interactive discussions that build stronger communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills amongst participants.

The objective of the GOLD programs is to facilitate the development of each student's intellectual and inquiry skills to help them achieve their fullest potential. Every GOLD program is sponsored and taught by UC Berkeley faculty, graduate students, and scholars, and is held onsite at the Berkeley campus.

About ChemSTAR

ChemSTAR is designed for the undergraduate scholar who thirsts for more hands-on laboratory experience to become better prepared for admittance to graduate school or to work in industry upon graduation. ChemSTAR is a non-credit bearing, two phase program during the summers that focuses on bioanalytical chemistry and chemical biology methods.

Both Phases will be augmented by research seminars, faculty presentations, graduate school information sessions and panels, tours of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and UC Berkeley campus, and social activities in the San Francisco Bay Area.

ChemSTAR teaches undergraduate scholars the theory and application of research methodology, to work independently, think critically, and communicate more effectively.

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Landbridge International is the exclusive recruiting partner of ChemSTAR.

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Phase I

ChemSTAR Phase 1PHASE I accepts up to 56 students and consists of structured laboratory experiments and techniques in an undergraduate laboratory for 3-weeks.

Students will learn to use modern technical methods or instruments, mine and analyze data, and perform research techniques that will augment and strengthen research skills that are desired in industry or graduate school applications. Students who are observed to be highly skilled, quick learners, excellent communicators, and demonstrate maturity and curiosity will be asked to apply to Phase II of the program.

Phase II

ChemSTAR Phase IIPHASE II of ChemSTAR accepts up to 15 students who would each be placed into a faculty laboratory for 5-weeks the following summer to conduct mentored laboratory research to further hone their laboratory skills and focus on real-time research on a specific topic.

The techniques each student will learn will depend on the assigned laboratory's research aims. However, every student will learn how to understand concept development, methods design, and decision making by the end of the program. Placement in Phase II will greatly increase the likelihood of getting published on a joint paper.