The course CHEM 291 is a special study in chemistry and related disciplines with an assigned faculty member. Findings are submitted in written form, and credit can be arranged with maximum of 4 hours per semester and 12 hours for the undergraduate program. Undergraduates may work with any faculty member on a research project of mutual interest. Students with a major in chemistry enrolled either in the UVM Honors College or in the College of Arts & Sciences Honor's Program will generally use research hours gained in their junior year through CHEM 291 for initiating research leading to completion of their honor's thesis in their senior year. Undergraduate research often produces results that are published in scientific literature.

Research funding and stipends are available to undergraduates to perform research during the academic year and particularly during the summer through several mechanisms, including the The Martin E. Kuehne Organic Chemistry Summer Fellowship, The A. Paul Krapcho Chemistry Summer Fellowship and other opportunities. The ACS-Hach Land Grant Undergraduate Scholarship is awarded to up to two undergraduate chemistry majors interested in teaching high school chemistry. Read more about funded research opportunities. 

The chemistry department participates with other schools and companies for summer employment and fellowships, which present opportunities for students to work in chemistry and chemistry-related areas during the summer months. For example, The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) through its REU Sites program. Each student is associated with a specific research project, where he/she works closely with the faculty and other researchers. Students are granted stipends and, in many cases, assistance with housing and travel.