Chemistry
Daniel P. Gerrity
Experimental physical chemistry, application of laser spectroscopy to the study of chemical dynamics and molecular electronic structure.
Margret J. Geselbracht
Inorganic chemistry, synthesis and characterization of new solid state inorganic materials with interesting electronic, magnetic, and optical properties, ion-exchange and intercalation chemistry.
Arthur Glasfeld
Structural biochemistry and bioinorganic chemistry. On leave spring 2006.
Ronald W. McClard
Biochemistry, bioorganophosphorus chemistry, design and synthesis of enzyme modifiers and prototypes of pharmaceutical agents, bioorganic mechanisms, metabolism, applications of NMR spectroscopy to biochemistry.
Patrick G. McDougal
Organic synthesis, bioorganic chemistry. On sabbatical fall 2005.
Jodi L. O’Donnell
Inorganic chemistry, synthesis and characterization of nanostructured molecular materials, high angle molecular diffraction.
Alan J. Shusterman
Green chemistry, molecular modeling.
Coursework is integrated with appropriate laboratory work and is
designed to teach the skills used by practicing chemical
scientists. A large assortment of modern research-quality
instruments is available for undergraduate use, including GC-MS,
FT-IR, and FT-NMR spectrometers; an x-ray diffractometer; a
250-kilowatt research reactor (see “Campus Facilities”); and a
computational chemistry laboratory.
Research investigations are used to refine and integrate skills and
to introduce students to the daily activities of practicing
scientists. The senior thesis provides an opportunity to focus on a
single research topic for an extended period of time and is
typically conducted as a collaboration between the student and one
or more faculty members. Independent study, including research, is
encouraged as a method for tailoring studies to the needs of the
individual student. Several students are offered employment each
summer as research assistants and are able to conduct original
research. Much of this research is supported by grants from the
National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the
American Chemical Society, and other sources.
Requirements for the Major
1. Chemistry 101 and 102, 201 and 202, 212, 311, 316, 332, 333,
470.
2. Physics 100.
3. Mathematics 111, 112, 211.
If a student wishes to obtain certification of her or his program
by the American Chemical Society, Chemistry 334 and one semester of
biochemistry (either Chemistry 391 or 392) must be included. This
certification is not required for graduation, but may prove useful
for students seeking employment as chemists following graduation.
Although there is no formal language requirement, the ability to
read technical articles in a foreign language, especially German,
is useful.
Students with special interests in physical and theoretical
chemistry should take Mathematics 212, Physics 200, and Chemistry
324, and should consult with an adviser concerning more advanced
courses in mathematics and physics. Students contemplating graduate
work in biochemistry or related fields should take Chemistry 391,
392, and 394, and should consult with an adviser concerning
additional courses in biology. Students should also examine the
detailed descriptions of the interdisciplinary programs in
chemistry and physics, and biochemistry and molecular biology,
which are listed in another section of the catalog.
Interdisciplinary programs linking chemistry to mathematics or
other disciplines can also be arranged.
