Department of Chemistry

(See also Joint Major in Chemistry and Biology )

Professors Karukstis (Chair), Cave, Daub, Haushalter, Hawkins, Johnson, Van Hecke, Van Heuvelen, Van Ryswyk, and Vosburg.

The central program in chemistry prepares graduates for careers and advanced study in chemistry and related fields. Following the Core courses in chemistry, a set of intermediate lecture and laboratory courses provide necessary breadth. Advanced courses and experimental research or project work in the senior year provide opportunities for in-depth study of selected areas.

A second program, administered jointly by the departments of chemistry and biology, is the Joint Major in Chemistry and Biology. This joint major provides an opportunity for students interested in study at the interface between chemistry and biology. Students wishing to study such interdisciplinary areas as biochemistry, molecular biology, biological chemistry and chemical biology will find this program well tailored to their career plans. Details on this program are listed in the “Interdisciplinary Programs” section of the catalogue.

The chemistry faculty believes that research or project work on a significant chemical problem is an exceptionally valuable educational experience; all majors must participate in such a project. The department is exceptionally well equipped with the instrumentation necessary for this research work and has a strong record of research productivity.

Students completing the chemistry major have a particularly strong and broad background for immediate employment, professional school (business, law or medicine), or graduate work in chemistry or a wide range of allied fields. Our alumni work not only in chemistry but also in materials science, chemical engineering, biochemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology, genetics, oceanography, teaching, publishing and viticulture. All chemistry graduates are certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Students completing the Joint Major in Chemistry and Biology graduate with a clear view of the science in both disciplines. Such a degree will prepare the graduate for immediate work or advanced study in molecular biology, biological chemistry, biochemistry or chemical biology. This degree is not an ACS certified chemistry major; students wishing to obtain ACS certification can do so by taking CHEM103 HM  and CHEM104 HM .

Course Descriptions

• Chemistry Courses  

Programs

Major

• •  Chemistry, Standard Program
• •  Chemistry, Applied Chemistry Program
• •  Chemistry, Chemical Education Program
• •  Chemistry, Computational Chemistry Program
• •  Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry Program
• •  Chemistry, Geochemistry Program
• •  Chemistry, Materials Chemistry Program

Joint Major

• •  Joint Major in Chemistry and Biology