Program

Why Chemistry?

Chemists are interested in molecules and reactivity. They synthesize new molecules, discover their unique properties, find out which molecules are present in a sample, and predict and test reaction rates. Wooster chemists study a wide variety of molecules, from organic and organometallic molecules made in the laboratory, to insect pheromones and proteins found in nature. They employ a range of instrumental methods, from chromatography to computer modeling. The fascination of chemistry is that there are always new molecules to be discovered and new applications to be found for them.

The education of chemistry majors begins with course work and culminates in research collaborations with professors. Along the way, there are opportunities to talk with professors informally, serve as laboratory assistants, work as tutors or instrument specialists for the department, carry out research with professors during the summer research program, and participate in Chemistry Club.

Features of the Department

The department has been certified by the American Chemical Society since 1947.

Students are taught by full-time faculty members in both lecture and laboratory sections.

Lecture sections average between 15 and 40 students. The challenging and stimulating atmosphere of small classes demands better preparation and provides opportunities for discussion and questions. Professors become well acquainted with students; they are able to advise students on course selection and career directions.

Severance Hall, home of the Chemistry Department, was completely renovated for the 1999-2000 academic year, and is now one of the most modern, complete undergraduate chemistry buildings in the nation. Inside Severance, the department has an exceptionally good array of state-of-the-art research instruments. Major instruments include (with date of acquisition): Bruker 400 MHz NMR (1999); three Agilent 1100 HPLCs: 2 with variable wavelength detectors, 1 with a diode-array, running ChemStation (2002); Agilent 6890/5973 GC-MS with ChemStation software and NIST98 MS database (1999); SPEX FluoroMax-2 fluorescence spectrometer, (1999); Perkin-Elmer Lambda-40 UV-Vis spectrometer, (2000); Perkin-Elmer Pyris 1 differential scanning calorimeter and thermal gravimetric analysis, (1997); Beckman-Coulter 2100 surface area/pore size analyzer, (2003); Perkin-Elmer FT-IR spectrometers (1995,1996, 2002). The Chemistry Department also has a dedicated facilities for computational chemistry, x-ray crystallography, and laser spectroscopy.

Students begin using instruments in general chemistry; they learn to operate a wide range of modern, computer-controlled instruments such as spectrophotometers and gas chromatographs in their subsequent laboratory work. During their senior research, students may use other major equipment such a Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers, an inert atmosphere glove-box, and a computer graphics workstation.

The department has an active summer research program. Funds to support this program have come from individual faculty grants, the National Science Foundation, and other external funding. The College provides its support in the form of free room and board to summer participants.

The Chemistry Major

A major in Chemistry provides students with sound training for a professional career in chemistry and in related areas of science and the medical professions. The minimum major consists of ten courses in the department, as well as physics and mathematics courses.

In their junior year, all majors begin the independent study process with a one semester course that introduces them to chemical structure and bonding through the chemical literature. They learn how to locate it, using on-line data base searching, and how to read and write about it. In the senior year, students begin two semesters of Independent Study (I.S.). Students investigate an original research problem, present two research seminars on their progress, describe their work in a thesis, and give an oral defense of the thesis. During the year, the initial advisee-adviser relationship usually becomes one of scientific colleagues interested in a common goal.

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Major

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) is an innovated major jointly organized by the chemistry and biology departments.

Both biochemists and molecular biologists ask how the multitude of molecules found in biological systems interact to confer the amazing properties of living organisms. In fact, the disciplines of biochemistry and molecular are the two sides of the boundary between the classical disciplines of biology and chemistry.

Both chemistry and biology continue to grow and draw inspiration from each other as workers at this boundary learn more about how molecules interact to convert energy, build complex structures, maintain order, and convey information spatially and over time.

The Chemical Physics Major

By combining the methodologies and knowledge of physics and chemistry, many intriguing scientific questions can be addressed by a student with a strong predilection for mathematics and the physical sciences. Molecular structure, spectroscopy, symmetry, and reaction rates and mechanisms provide measurable ways to test theoretical predictions and to understand a wide variety of materials.

Special Programs

Wooster offers 3-2 Chemical Engineering programs with Case Western Reserve University, Washington University (St. Louis), and the University of Michigan.

Chemistry Club is a student-run organization which sponsors social events and brings outstanding speakers to campus. Students have an opportunity to talk informally with professionals in a wide range of occupations.

Careers in Chemistry and Related Fields

In the past ten years, 41% of Wooster Chemistry graduates entered Ph.D. programs in all areas of chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, oceanography, and chemical engineering. Another 17% of graduates went on to medical and dental school. About 22% of Wooster Chemistry majors were employed in the chemical industry immediately after graduation. They work in chemical laboratories at companies such as Dow, DuPont, Pfizer, and Upjohn.

Of Special Interest

Thirty-five students have been co-authors with our faculty on 20 publications since 1989.

Wooster students ranked seventh highest in number of chemistry Ph.D. degrees from the period 1981-1990, among 914 private, four-year, undergraduate institutions in the United States.