Student Organizations
Video: The Department of Chemistry encourages and empowers its graduate students to create, engage in, and become involved with high impact outreach activities, student-led community-building groups, and leadership opportunities. Video by Simon Tolman
American Chemical Society-University of Minnesota Chapter
American Chemical Society-University of Minnesota Chapter (AcS-UMn) is a group for students in chemistry and chemistry-related fields to come together and further the understanding of chemistry among our community and our members. Through outreach we hope to encourage interest in science and a basic knowledge of chemistry. Being a student chapter of a professional organization, the chapter aims to help our members connect to the chemical profession and provide opportunities to involve ourselves with chemistry and its related fields. We hope to make chemistry intriguing and accessible to all who are naturally curious.
Chemical Biology Interface Training Grant
The Chemical Biology Interface Training Grant allows first-rate students to grow into accomplished professionals both in their primary area of interest (e.g., synthetic/mechanistic organic and inorganic chemistry, molecular biology, mechanistic enzymology, medicinal chemistry) and in a complementary field by cross-discipline research interactions and experiences. Pre-doctoral trainees for this training grant program are selected from a pool of graduate students who have been recruited by the Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics (BMBB), and Medicinal Chemistry departments.
Community of Chemistry Graduate Students (CCGS)
The Community of Chemistry Graduate Students (CCGS) at the University of Minnesota consists of graduate students working together to support each other.
Graduate Student Workshop Committee (GSWC)
The Graduate Student Workshop Committee (GSWC) is a student-run organization within the Department of Chemistry at the University of Minnesota. In collaboration with the Office of the Director of Graduate Studies, the GSWC creates high-quality programs of relevance to the department’s graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, with special emphasis on career preparation and professional development.
Joint Safety Team (JST)
The Joint Safety Team (JST) is a researcher-led organization focused on improving the culture of safety in chemical laboratories at the University of Minnesota. The JST consists of all graduate student or postdoc Laboratory Safety Officers (LSOs) within the Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Materials Science.
Mentorship Program for Aspiring Chemistry Teachers
The Mentorship Program for Aspiring Chemistry Teachers (MPACT pronounced "empact") is designed to provide additional teaching experience and guidance for graduate students and post-doctorates who are interested in an academic career at the college or university level. This is a volunteer activity for both the mentor and mentee.
Minnesota Science Business Association
The Minnesota Science Business Association (MSBA) is a student group aimed at bridging the gap between Carlson School of Management and College of Biological Sciences, giving students an overview of how the sciences and business can be integrated into a career path. It hosts speakers from many sectors in engineering and biotechnology industries, bringing their insights and advice directly to students. In addition, it sponsors company tours and networking dinners, giving participants the chance to learn the inner workings of industry firsthand and to build connections with successful professionals. Email: umnmsba@umn.edu.
Science is fun, interesting, important, and something that you, too, can do. Those are the central themes of the Department of Chemistry's outreach programs such as Energy & U, Chemists in the Classroom, and Cool Chemistry, which are designed to spark young people's interest in chemistry, and to help young people see themselves as future college students, researchers, professors, and science professionals.
ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry (POLY) and the Division of Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering (PMSE)
We are a student-run organization, affiliated with the ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry (POLY) and the Division of Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering (PMSE). Our group facilitates seminars related to the field of polymers, organizes social events for our community and members, and hosts career development and networking opportunities
Science for All (SFA)
Graduate students involved with Science for All aim to improve science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in the urban Twin Cities community by performing intricate science experiments with middle school students. If interested in volunteering, you can find more information and reach out via the Science for All Contact Us webpage.
SciMentors
SciMentors is a student-led outreach group within the Department of Chemistry. It provides hands-on science experiments to general educational development (GED) students enrolled in the Open Door Learning Center GED classes in Minneapolis.
Social Justice Lecture Series
The Chemistry Social Justice Lecture Series is a team of graduate students working together to engage the department in discussion of social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion issues to promote a culture of respect, awareness, and acceptance. Email: chemsjls@umn.edu.
Student Seminar Series Committee
The Student Seminar Series Committee is empowered to nominate and choose speakers for seminars conducted throughout the year as part of the Department of Chemistry's seminar series program. The speakers, renowned scientists at the tops of their fields, spend most of their time at Minnesota with students, which gives the students opportunities to network and discuss science and innovation with experts. If interested in helping with this committee, contact Rachel Rapagnani (rapag001@umn.edu) and Michael Harris (harr3081@umn.edu).
Women in Science and Engineering
The Chemistry Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) team provides a networking resource for women graduate students and post-docs in the department, with the goal of increasing the recruitment and retention of women, and improving the climate for all chemists.
College of Science and Engineering student groups
Find leadership opportunities by exploring student groups in the College of Science and Engineering, and on the Department of Chemistry's Diversity & Inclusion resource page.
University student organizations
Information on a variety of campus student organizations is available through Student Unions & Activities, and on the Department of Chemistry's Diversity & Inclusion resource page.