Chemistry

Welcome to the Chemistry Department

We are a scholarly group of faculty, students, and staff working together to explore how the world functions at the molecular level. We believe in the hands-on training of our students. Our curriculum, therefore, is focused on providing student opportunities to work with relevant instrumentation, to learn experimental design, execution, and troubleshooting, and to practice various forms of scientific communication. These topics are integrated throughout the core chemistry courses, Freshman Learning Community, capstone lab experiences, and undergraduate research.

Our department offers three possible degree paths: 1) a B.A. chemistry degree that provides flex units for students to pursue a complementary and/or additional interest in chemistry or to create their degree path, 2) a B.S. chemistry degree certified by the American Chemical Society, and 3) a B.S. biochemistry degree, also certified by the American Chemical Society.  The Biochemistry degree is popular among those also interested in biology. As part of these programs, all students have the opportunity to participate in an undergraduate research experience and work one-on-one with faculty. Ongoing research in our department includes atmospheric and environmental chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry and the characterization of natural products, analysis of structure:function relationships of proteins, and the study of inorganic species in biological systems.

Please come by the chemistry department office or the department chair's office if you have questions.  Chemistry is located on the third floor of Darwin Hall.