2020-2021 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Chemistry and Biochemistry
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 Return to: Academic Departments, Programs, and Requirements for Majors and Minors
Chemistry
Professors Wasileski (Chair), Brock, Heard, Holt, Krumpe; Associate Professor A. Wolfe; Assistant Professors McMahon, Steed; Senior Lecturer Schmeltzer; Lecturer, Love
As a central science, chemistry is an important component of many related disciplines and includes five major chemistry sub-disciplines in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and physical chemistry. Therefore, it is the goal of the department to actively contribute to raising the level of scientific literacy for all students, provide them with an understanding of the relationship of chemistry to society, and to nurture their appreciation of the character of chemistry as a humanistic activity. The department continues to implement an approach that is built around an experiential, explorative-based curriculum that integrates the lecture with the laboratory and introduces students to research pedagogy early in their education. This involves smaller classes, group work, interactive methods, longer-term laboratories (projects and/or discovery-based laboratories), much greater use of student-centered learning activities, and culminates with a collaborative student-faculty research project. The department provides students with a solid foundation of chemical knowledge in all five sub-disciplines and builds upon that foundation with students customizing their degree focus generally across the sub-disciplines or in a specific subdiscipline such as biochemistry through upper-level coursework and student-faculty research. Throughout the curriculum, students learn problem-solving and self-directed learning skills and how to communicate effectively both in writing and speaking.
Because its constituency is so diverse, the department offers both the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Arts degrees with the flexibility to tailor course options to meet specific needs of the students.
Declaration of Major in Chemistry
Students wishing to declare a major in chemistry must complete the following prior to declaring:
- CHEM 145 and CHEM 231 with a grade of C or higher;
- MATH 191 ;
- be enrolled in, or have completed CHEM 232
Students considering a major in chemistry should speak with a faculty member in the department. They are also encouraged to complete an Intent to Declare a Chemistry Major form, available from the Chair of Chemistry. Once this form is submitted, an advisor from the Chemistry department will be assigned to the student, facilitating student participation in departmental functions.
Chemistry and Biochemistry
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