Earlham's 400 MHz NMR

Department Laudables
Recent publications, grants, and more.

The Chemistry Major
Traditional or ACS certified.

The Chemistry Minor

The Biochemistry Major

The C.B. Edwards Scholarship

Course Descriptions

Health Careers Advising
Pre-professional advising.

Chemistry Faculty
Contact info, teaching/research interests

Chemistry Facilities
Tour of the labs and departmental instruments.

Department Photos
National meetings, socials, etc.

Student and Faculty Projects
Class projects and cooperative student-faculty research.

Summer Science Research

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 will 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 experience with 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 on 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, kinetic study of fast gas phase reactions, high resolution laser spectroscopy, 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; rapid-scanning ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometers; gas chromatographs; high-performance, low-pressure and flash liquid chromatographs; a new Varian Gas Chromatograph-MS; a high resolution tunable dye laser system; a dual-view ICP spectrophotometer; a 400-MHz NMR spectrometer; and an inert-atmosphere glovebox.

Approximately 80 percent of our 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, Duke, Purdue, Northwestern University and the universities of Wisconsin, Chicago, Tennessee and Utah. Other graduates have entered medical schools such as Case Western, Tulane University, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, Baylor University, Indiana University and Johns Hopkins University.

Corinne Deibel
Associate Professor of Chemistry
B.S., Université Pierre
et Marie Curie, Paris, France;
M.S., ESCOM, Paris, France;
Ph.D., University of Kentucky
(Home Page)

Michael Deibel
Associate Professor of Chemistry
B.A., Capital University;
Ph.D., University of Kentucky
(Home Page)

Olen Stephens
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
B.A., Earlham College;
Ph.D., University of Utah

Mark Stocksdale
Associate Professor of Chemistry
B.S., Taylor University;
M.S., Ball State University;
Ph.D., University of Notre Dame
(Home Page)

Lori Watson, Convener
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
B.S., University of Kentucky;
Ph.D., Indiana University
(Home Page)

Brian Eliason
Chemical Hygiene Officer
Laboratory Manager
B.S., Marian College
(Chemical Hygiene Page)

Terry Shipley
Secretary

Professors Emeriti of Chemistry:

Jerry Bakker

Paul Ogren
(Home Page)

Contact information
Department of Chemistry
Earlham College
801 National Rd. W.
Richmond, Indiana 47374-4095
Phone: (765) 983-1309