Chemistry Lab Techniques 5.301 – MIT Department of Chemistry

An IAP Chemistry Laboratory Course for First-Year Students only

The aim of this IAP course is to provide first-year students with intensive practical training in basic chemistry lab techniques, including:

Transfer and manipulation of small quantities of organic and inorganic compounds
Purification methods for liquid and solid substances (distillation, recrystallization, chromatography)
Structure and determination by NMR, infrared, UV spectroscopic analysis, and Mass Spectroscopy
Quantitative analysis of biochemical, organic, and inorganic substances by spectroscopic and chromatographic methods

Chemistry Laboratory Techniques” is intended to provide first-year students with the skills necessary to undertake original research projects in chemistry. Students selected for this course are guaranteed a UROP in the Department of Chemistry for the Spring or Summer 2027; however, this course is not a prerequisite for a Chemistry UROP.

The 5.301 lab will meet throughout IAP. Students will be expected to spend from 10:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday in the classroom and laboratory on Monday, January 4 to Monday, January 25, 2027, with a final paper due on January 28, 2027. Please do not apply for 5.301 if you have a scheduling conflict with any of the laboratory/lecture times, including Fridays.

Enrollment in Chemistry 5.301 is limited and requires permission of the instructor.

5.301 Application

To apply for permission to register in 5.301, please fill out the application below by Wednesday, November 25, 2026. All items with a red star must be answered.

For more information about 5.301 or about the application, please contact Dr. Whitney Hess.

Chemistry Lab Techniques 5.301

Name (First and Last) *

MIT ID # *

MIT Email Address *

Courses Taken Fall 2026 *

Courses Planned Spring 2027 *

What major(s) are you currently considering? Why? *

Are you interested in pursuing a UROP position in the Chemistry Department? If so, please list three different Chemistry faculty members whose research interests you and describe why.

You can learn more about the different research groups in the MIT Department of Chemistry at http://chemistry.mit.edu/research/areas

What type of Chemistry experience have you had outside of MIT (high school, internships)? If you don't have any outside experience, why are you interested in getting experience in the Chemistry laboratory? *

Do you have laboratory experience in other fields? If yes, please describe.

Besides a UROP, what do you hope to gain from your 5.301 experience? *

How did you hear about 5.301? (Please check all that apply) *

IAP Website

5.111 Class Announcement

5.112 Class Announcement

Infinite Corridor Display

Chemistry Education Office Display Screen

Student from past 5.301 class

3.091 Class Announcement

OtherOther

Are you enrolling in or applying for any other IAP classes that would directly conflict with 5.301? *

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