Steve DaSilva (currently at Hunter College)
My experience conducting research was and is still a marvelous one, thanks to my mentor Dr. David Sarno, Dr. Paris Svoronos (the Chairman of the Chemistry Department), and the rest of the chemistry department for their help, encouragement and efforts to provide me with a challenging research environment. Dr. Sarno has worked for 18 months for Dr. Alan MacDiarmid, who earned the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2000.
I learned how to follow directions precisely, how to make calculations using the formulas I learned in a chemistry class, and how to reproduce my experimental results. With my mentor’s consent, I was able to incorporate my own ideas, which allowed me to use my own imagination to try a different approach when things did not seem to work. Recording my own observations and writing my conclusions is something that makes me feel fulfilled. The use of instrumentation or available equipment in the lab is something probably unprecedented for a community college environment.
The most important aspect of the project to me is that I got such a hands-on experience, doing all these interesting new “things” that I would not be able to do in a four-year institution. The best of all, though, is the opportunity to attend American Chemical Society conferences where I have made either oral or PowerPoint presentations in front of faculty from senior colleges. This is the place where our classmates and I can present our findings and show people what we have achieved. Those entirely thrilling experiences place me in a position to make decisions wisely. Good decision making is a key quality for success in life.
I am currently at Hunter College and hope to graduate with a degree in Chemistry in 2009.
Eva Santos Tejada
The honors progam is a challenging experience, which engages not only outstanding students throughout campus but also students who are willing to commit themselves to academic excellence. The classes are relatively small and we are constantly monitored by our professors very carefully. I encourage all students who want to try and take the challenge of making a difference in their lives to try out for the honors program. The benefits acquired through the experience of this program will lead to successful graduates who will have more opportunities in their lives on and off campus in the future.
Dmitryi Rybitskyi (currently at Queens College)
While at LaGuardia Community College I applied for an e-permit to take the Organic Chemistry classes at Queensborough Community College that were unavailable at LaGuardia. At Queensborough I also had the unique opportunity to conduct research under the mentorship of chemistry department faculty by enrolling in two research classes, CH-902 and CH-903.
My research project under Dr. Paris Svoronos and Chief CLT Pedro Irigoyen involved measuring the amount of caffeine in different types of tea using sophisticated laboratory equipment. The bulk of the research was conducted during the winter break. It required a lot of effort and commitment but the results were very rewarding. Upon the completion of the project I had the opportunity to present my research locally at the Second Annual Queensborough Community College Honors Conference and at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at St John's University, as well as regionally at the Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting (MARM) in Hershey, Pennsylvania and at the Northeastern Regional Meeting (NERM) in Binghamton, New York.
The completion of the project has boosted up my resume. In addition, research experience allowed me to gain advance standing in the Queens College Honors in Mathematics Program and the Natural Science Program. More importantly, I developed an interest in chemistry that I am pursuing to this day at Queens College as a Biochemistry Major.
Karina Bairamyan (currently at Queens College)
In my last three semesters at QCC, I successfully completed the following Honors classes: CH-151/ CH-152 (General Chemistry I and II) and CH-902, CH-903 (Cooperative Education in Chemical Instrumental Analysis). My classmates were more dedicated, enthusiastic, and excited about learning than any I’d met before. These students value education and want to get the most out of every class to achieve their goals. Studying with students with the same eagerness to learn as I have was a very challenging experience that provided me with deeper knowledge and helped me develop leadership qualities.
As an Honors student I worked closely with my classmates and professors and I gained a practical experience working in a professional chemistry laboratory. Moreover I had an access to cultural events and trips that deepened my academic experience.
Most of the best learning experiences happen outside of a textbook. I had a great time during conferences, seminars and presentations, where I found lasting friendships and met incredible people. As being an honor student I had a great experience that I will never forget in my life!
I have conducted research under Dr. Jun Shin of the Chemistry Department. I have presented my findings at the American Chemical Society-NY section at St. John’s University, the 34th Northeast Regional Meeting at Binghamton University and the 38th Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting at Hershey Pa.
Now at Queens College I feel as well-prepared and capable as my classmates and I attribute this to my Honors experience.
Hoda Mirafzal
When I first entered college, I had no knowledge of Honor's Program in our college. I was searching for some opportunity to show my potential. I definitely did not want to be in the normal rank. In my second semester at QCC, I found about Honors Program, where the students in the classroom are selected from higher academic backgrounds. The low population of the honor's class (maximum 15) and consequently the low faculty-to-student ratio would allow one to perfect his studies in the subject by getting more attention from the professor. Honors classes were the most determining part of my education in QCC. It was because of honors classes that I was able to overcome my inner conflicts and finally decide what major to pursue. Honors Classes gave me the required self-confidence to trigger my future extravagant ambitions very optimistically. These classes proved that I am much more capable of excelling my academic goals than what an outsider in society would think of a community college student.
Performance of extracurricular activities and strict educational standards in honors classes provided me the scientific environment that a student would need to become a scientist. Honors classes have definitely influenced my future choices and my way of approaching my academic and career goals.
Carlos Penaloza
The honors CHD-152 class offered at QCC is an experience enriching course. You attain many skills that you would not normally attain in a non honors chemistry class. Skills such as Power Point presentations, and more hands on training during the lab sessions. With a limited number of students registered in the classes, there is a better chance for everyone to participate and perform every experiment. The aspect that I liked most about the honors CH-152 course is the attention given to every student, the professors are more personal with the students and help a lot more. Every student gets the chance to ask questions and clarify the material. Non-honors courses do not offer personal attention, all students do not get the chance to perform all the experiments, and all the material does not become clear to the student. There is no personal attention; it would be too hard for the instructor to help everyone in large class. I will definitely suggest this course to my friends, there are invaluable experiences and skills that can't be attained in regular chemistry courses, the skills that are learned in this class are much more refined and clearer then those that would be learned in a regular non-honors course.
Ezihe Agwu
The course was a lot more challenging considering the comments made by my friends in non-honors course about my test questions. The class was small bunch of geniuses making it more interesting and competitive.The best part of the course was infact the presentation; which entailed studying and understanting material covered both in and out of class with the intent of educating others during the presentation. As a matter of fact a couple of the students registered for the course for spring 2003 were partly advised by me.
John Calderon
This honors course provides an excellent foundation in problem solving and develops important presentation skills. The class size is much smaller than non-honors courses. However, the quality of the class does not suffer from the lack of students. On the contrary, the class is more engaging and close friendships have been formed as a result of enrollment in the class. The material presented is very well organized. Teaching style is conducive to learning. The amount of material taught and absorbed is dependent on the motivation of class. This honors course is highly recommended. |
