The KC Graduate Internship Program begins summer term with intensive course and lab work in one of five focus areas, three of which offer a chemistry major:

• Photovoltaic & Semiconductor Device Processing

• Polymer Science

• Molecular Sensors & Probes

The course work and labs are designed to help students become more effective problem-solvers in industrial, research and national lab environments. Professional skills development is a centerpiece of the program, including resume writing, interviewing and networking.

Historically, close to 98% of our students complete internships and close to 90% of those receive regular job offers within three months of finishing their internships.

This unique program is a good fit for students who want to begin a career in industry or a national lab - and those who hope to gather more data about the wide range of career opportunities available before contemplating a specific area of research for a PhD.

Photovoltaic & Semiconductor Device Processing:

Situated at the intersection of chemistry, physics and chemical engineering, the semiconductor (microelectronics) industry enables a greener, smarter, and more connected economy. The field has significant implications in society’s ability to support technology innovation and address the global energy crisis through applications in microprocessors, photovoltaics, LEDs and power transistors. For students who love to stay connected, semiconductor technology has driven advancements in the internet, 5G and IoT. And for tech geeks who love smart technology – iPhone, Fitbit, self-driving cars- this field is ripe with opportunities. The continued success of this vast, interdisciplinary, and sophisticated yet innovative industry is deemed critical to long-term U.S. national competitiveness, which translates into impactful and well-paid job opportunities for those who choose to join this sector.

Alumni from this track work in a wide variety of engineering and management roles in manufacturing, hardware development, materials research, battery development, supply chain, research & development, and analytics. Skills developed in this track transfer to a myriad of roles peripheral to these roles, including systems engineering, software engineering, applications engineering and others.

Polymer Science

No other class of materials displays the breadth of properties and applications of polymers – they are simply everywhere! Polymers are an unusual class of materials because they simultaneously exhibit both fluid and solid-like behavior. This quirk of polymers enables scientists and engineers to design polymeric materials for a range of applications. While many people are familiar with plastics – a specific type of engineered polymers – this only represents a sliver of the applications. Polymers can be found in everyday commodity products such as shampoos, food, over-the-counter medications, paints and sports products. But they are also commonplace in high-end performance applications including aerospace composites, medical implants and flexible displays.

Alumni from this track develop skills which have been successfully transferred to a wide variety of engineering and management roles in consumer product development, manufacturing, raw material development, and research & development.

Molecular Probes & Sensors

Molecular probes and sensors, a specialized field of chemistry, has wide-ranging applications in the areas of health diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and national security. Like designing a lock for a key, each molecular sensor is designed to interact, detect, and produce a measurable signal in the presence of a specific analyte. Inexpensive, user-friendly, and mass producible devices employing molecular sensors include CO detectors, glucose monitors and pregnancy tests. Advanced applications also exist for the diagnosis of COVID-19, detection of explosives and identification of air and water contaminants. Students interested in the biomedical field can apply their knowledge in the development of sensors for fluorescent imaging, drug development, pathogen detection and early detection of diseases.

Alumni from the sensors track work in a variety of roles in the life sciences, pharmaceutical, fragrance and materials sectors – as well as peripheral sectors.

Application at a Glance

You apply for admission through your program. Detailed instructions are available on the program’s website. The following are required for your application:

• Official Transcripts
• English Language Proficiency Requirement
• Financial Verification for International Applicants

Program-Specific Application Requirements:

• Interview (for admitted students)
• Letters of Recommendation
• Statement of Purpose

Optional:

• GRE (UO Institution Code: 4846)
• Resume