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Chemistry About the Department Chemistry, a dynamic science constantly changing as discoveries are being made, is often referred to as the central science. The life sciences, physical sciences and earth sciences all demand an understanding of chemical principles. Chemistry seeks to answer fundamental questions about the makeup of all the materials that compose our world, from tiny atoms to giant galaxies. From such knowledge has come the ability to create materials fulfilling the needs of society. Some of these materials have never before been found on Earth! Along with the study of this exciting field, students find ample opportunities throughout our curriculum to develop skills in problem solving and critical thinking. These skills are essential for success in today's world. The Chemistry Department is housed in spacious laboratories well-equipped with modern laboratory instrumentation and microcomputers. The Chemistry Program is supported by an excellent science library housed within the science complex and includes extensive bibliographic resources, both locally and through the Internet. Chemistry majors receive a thorough grounding in the traditional areas of organic, inorganic, physical and analytical chemistry, as well as in advanced mathematics and physics. Students interested in careers in biochemistry or health professions combine study in Chemistry with additional courses in Biology. Earlham's Chemistry Program is accredited by the American Chemical Society. An important part of the curriculum is participation in research, either during the academic year, full time during the summer, or during a semester at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. On campus, students work in collaboration with faculty members on projects such as environmental mercury analysis with the most sensitive analyzing equipment available, antioxidant properties of dietary supplements, interactions of metals and antioxidant proteins, fate and transport of metals in the environment, structural characterization of artificial proteins, image acquisition and analysis, and the design and synthesis of biologically and/or structurally interesting organic molecules. Some of the specialized equipment available for these projects, as well as for use in other regular Chemistry courses, includes infrared, atomic absorption, and rapid-scanning ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometers; gas chromatographs; high-performance and low-pressure liquid chromatographs; a GC-MS spectrometer; a high resolution tunable dye laser system; a dual-view ICP spectrophotometer; and a 400 MHz NMR with tunable probe and variable temperature capabilities. According to HEDS data, Earlham is ranked 57th (in the 96th percentile) among 1,469 institutions of higher learning in the U.S. in the percentage of graduates who go on to receive Ph.D.s in chemistry. Of those receiving Ph.D.s in the physical sciences in general, Earlham ranks 54th (also in the 96th percentile)*. Approximately 80 percent of graduates go on to advanced study of chemistry, biochemistry, environmental chemistry, medicine or related fields. Recent Earlham Chemistry graduates have gone on to graduate programs at institutions such as Harvard, Princeton, Duke, Purdue, and the universities of Wisconsin, Chicago, Oregon and Utah. Other graduates have entered medical schools such as Northwestern, Harvard, Albert Einstein, Tulane, Baylor, Indiana and St. Louis universities. |
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Earlham College · 801 National Road West · Richmond,
Indiana 47374-4095 |