The Department of Chemistry is traditional in its approach to the discipline of chemistry and offers a rigorous and well-balanced curriculum. Faculty expertise within the department covers all major areas of chemistry and allows us to provide an excellent undergraduate foundation that prepares our students to excel in graduate or professional school programs or to enter employment in chemical research or industry. A variety of research opportunities are available to majors through ongoing faculty research programs. In addition, we attempt to instill in our students an awareness of the beauty and design in nature that reflects the creative hand of God.

CURRICULA 

The Department of Chemistry offers majors in Chemistry, Chemistry/Secondary Education, Chemistry/General Science/ Secondary Education Biochemistry. Each major requires the completion of a set of core courses which includes two semesters each of General, Organic and Physical Chemistry, one semester of Analytical and Inorganic Chemistry, and Chemical Applications of Mathematical Methods. Each major also has a specialized core consisting of the following additional courses:

Chemistry 
A semester of biochemistry, instrumental analysis and two semesters of chemical synthesis and spectroscopy, plus eight hours of chemistry electives. Other departmental requirements include two semesters of physics, three semesters of calculus, and one semester of computer programming or computing for engineers. 

Chemistry/Secondary Education 
A semester of biochemistry and other departmental requirements of two semesters of physics, three semesters of calculus, and one semester of computer programming or computing for engineers. Additional courses in education are required as well.

Chemistry/General Science/Secondary Education 
A semester of biochemistry; a semester each of astronomy, geology or environmental science and life science; two semesters of physics, three semesters of calculus, and one semester of computer programming or computing for engineers. Additional courses in education are required as well.

Biochemistry 
Two semesters of biochemistry and one semester of chemical synthesis and spectroscopy; a semester each of general biology, cellular and molecular biology and biology seminar; nine hours of other chemistry and or/ biology electives; and other departmental requirements of two semesters each of physics and calculus.

All students are welcome to join the student affiliate chapter of the American Chemical Society. The organization encourages advancement in all branches of chemistry and explores opportunities in the field through guest speakers, seminars and field trips. Free tutoring for first and secondyear chemistry students is also offered by the society. Academically qualified students may be invited to join Kemikos, a local honorary fraternity dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in chemistry and chemical engineering. In addition, valuable opportunities are available for students to assist faculty in laboratories and to serve as tutors for underclassmen.

FACILITIES 

The Chemistry department laboratories provide excellent facilities for both teaching and research. Research opportunities include organic synthesis, studies in organometallics, computational chemistry, studies of cells in culture, and DNA technology related to cancer. The chemistry department provides very strong instrumental capabilities including a 300 MHz NMR, three FT-IR and two UV-VIS spectrometers. It also has modern electrochemical equipment, an atomic absorption spectrometer, as well as state-of-the-art GC, HPLC, DSC and TGA instruments. These instruments are integrated into the curriculum in addition to supporting research projects.