Opportunities for Student Jobs and Co-ops
Students may find research opportunities, co-ops and internships, and positions as graders and teaching assistants within the department.
Research
Many departmental faculty hold funded grants from external research sponsors and seek students to participate in cutting-edge research. Three different research options are available: research for academic credit, compensated, and academic credit with compensation. Research experience is valuable in terms of providing laboratory experience that augments fundamental knowledge applied in coursework. Additionally, such experiences may lead to peer-reviewed publications with student authorship that are the beginning of research careers by students. Students who enroll in undergraduate research for credit are required to file a formal report with the department in order to receive curricular credit.
Co-ops and Internships
Co-ops and internships are available in which students work for outside employers and receive academic credit toward graduation. Co-ops and internships may occur in the summer or during the academic year while employed by an industry partner in the field of chemistry and/or applied biological sciences. The Career and Professional Development Center at SDSM&T assists in developing contacts for co-ops and internships through Career Fairs and contact with potential employers. The department is sometimes approached by alumni in industry looking for outstanding SDSM&T students.
Chemistry students have recently had co-ops and internships with faculty in the department doing research for the Department of Defense, with the Evidence Section of the Rapid City Police Department, and with local bio-ethanol producers.
Students participating in co-ops, internships, and research are required to submit a comprehensive written report approved by the faculty member before a grade is assigned.
Grader and Teaching Assistant Positions: Graders, who assist faculty by grading student work, as well as teaching assistants, who assist in teaching undergraduate laboratories, are hired on a regular basis by the department. These positions are advertised within the department, and selections are made on a competitive basis.