Department Information

Chemistry

Professors Chapp (Chair), Ams, Betush, Deckert, Garcia, Guldan, Murphree, Pandey, Persichini

Science is an integral part of a liberal arts education. Chemistry is the central science as it provides an understanding of how the assembly and manipulation of atoms and molecules affect life by connecting physics to biology, and it provides ready entry to applied sciences like medicine, and engineering.

The Chemistry Department offers its students the ability to appreciate the nature of chemical interactions and develop the experimental vision to contribute to society’s growing understanding of the natural world. We use innovative teaching-learning techniques and extensive hands-on lab experiences to encourage students to apply their knowledge. This leads to unique research activities that have real world applications by working in one-on-one collaborations with faculty, starting as early as the first year and culminating in the senior project.

We further encourage our students to appreciate science and Chemistry as a human endeavor. We seek to help stimulate and develop individual qualities that foster an enthusiasm for knowledge, that provide a foundation for critical reasoning, and allow for self-expression. These qualities, which transcend the study of Chemistry and science in general, prepare our Chemistry graduates to lead productive and fulfilling lives.

Chemistry Courses Learning Outcomes

All students who successfully complete a course in the Chemistry Department are expected to be able to:

  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the fundamental concepts of stoichiometry, atomic theory, structure and reactivity of elements and compounds, physical properties of matter, kinetics, equilibrium, and thermodynamics relevant to specific contexts and applications;
  • Effectively communicate this knowledge in both oral and written forms;
  • Critically analyze chemical data, hypotheses, results, theories, or explanations by this chemical knowledge.

Cooperative Engineering Program

Students who participate in a cooperative engineering program (3-2 engineering) with a major in Chemistry are required to take the Foundation courses, the Core courses, and the Junior Seminar, plus additional chemistry courses to bring the total to 33 semester hours in Chemistry.


Academic Bulletin

Visit the Academic Bulletinfor information on all majors, minors, and other programs at Allegheny college.

Visit the Allegheny College Academic Bulletin