Hello, I'm Dr. Heiser, the Chemistry Program Coordinator for the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department at the University of New Haven. I'm excited to have an opportunity to share our Chemistry program with you today. Our Chemistry program is designed to provide a personalized experience for each student based on their long-term plans. Our faculty advisors work closely from day one with each student to create a unique experience.
We are primarily an undergraduate-focused institution. And while our faculty perform cutting-edge research, we focus on excellent teaching and giving students a hands-on experience in their undergraduate research. Our lectures and our laboratories are taught by faculty members, and we are one of the only Chemistry programs in the country that's housed in a Chemical and Chemical Engineering department. This means that our students can benefit from a close relationship with the Engineering department and students can work on research projects with both Chemistry and Chemical Engineering faculty. In addition to the ongoing collaborations with faculty in Biology, Health Sciences, and Forensic Science.
Our Bachelor of Science can serve as a foundation for a variety of specialized fields. Our flexible degree program allows students to personalize programs and focus on minors or concentrations within the degree. It also allows us to build a strong foundation for longer-term goals like career or graduate programs. Students choosing to move directly into industry upon graduation may decide to work on an internship in their senior year. While those looking forward to graduate school may choose a more research-based experience.
Either way, our degree can prepare students for any of these options, including a degree track that allows students to stay at the University of New Haven for one additional year and earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree. This pathway to graduate school includes early acceptance to the graduate program, a more streamlined application process, and then students begin taking graduate courses during their senior year by utilizing their undergraduate electives.
We also value experience outside of our lectures and laboratories. In our program, we offer Chemistry courses on our campus in Prato, Italy so our students have an opportunity to study abroad an amazing experience in a stunning city, where students immerse themselves in the food, art, and culture for a semester. The university also offers Living Learning Communities, or "LLCs." Here, students can connect with peers that have similar experiences and goals.
The University of New Haven also provides students with an opportunity to take part in summer undergraduate research programs. These 10-week programs allow students to work closely with faculty mentors on different research projects while being paid and living on campus. Additionally, our Chemistry students have an opportunity to work in the Chemistry department as Laboratory Assistants, or even as Lecture Assistants in paid positions. This gives students added hands-on experience that will help prepare them for their careers after graduation.
And finally, an introduction to some of our Chemistry family. As cutting-edge researchers and lifelong educators, our faculty are student-centered and support our students each step of the way. We encourage them to think big and challenge themselves and provide them with the opportunities and experiences that prepare them for whatever comes next. We are proud of their successes. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our Chemistry program. We're excited at the prospect of you joining us. Please feel free to reach out should you have any questions about our program, or visit our Instagram page to learn more about our students, our faculty, or our fun experiences here at the University of New Haven.