American University Catalog 2024-2025
Chemistry
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Website: https://www.american.edu/cas/chemistry/
Administration
Chair Douglas Fox
Lab Director Egidijus Zilinskas
Full-Time Faculty
Professor S. Costanzi, D. Fox, S. Zou
Associate Professor R. Burks, M. Hartings, M. Konaklieva, S. Toledo, A. Zestos
Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer S. Dehghan, M. Lansigan
Senior Professorial Lecturer M. Alaghmand, J. Axe
Emeriti Faculty
Professor Emeritus/a J.E. Girard
Associate Professor Emeritus/a F.W. Carson
Department Overview
Chemistry is the science that deals with the composition of materials, their structures and properties, the transformations they undergo, and the energy changes that accompany these transformations. Areas of study include general, organic, physical, analytical, and inorganic chemistry, as well as biochemistry and earth science. Students are encouraged to participate in research projects at all levels.
Approved by the American Chemical Society, the department offers programs leading to the Chemistry (BS) , Chemistry (MS) , and Biochemistry (BS) , which includes specializations of applied chemistry, chemistry and society, and clinical biochemistry. Besides training for a career or graduate study in chemistry and biochemistry, undergraduate students are prepared for medical or dental school, engineering programs, and other careers where technical expertise is needed. The department provides a personal, congenial environment where students can develop and pursue a flexible program of study designed to fulfill individual interests and needs.
The Department of Chemistry is equipped with both standard and specialized chemical instrumentation, including spectrometers and chromatographic equipment. Laboratory facilities in the Hall of Science include modern teaching and research laboratories as well as specialized laboratories established for research in biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, polymer chemistry, nanomaterials chemistry, electrochemistry, and carbohydrate chemistry. Graduate and undergraduate students are involved in a variety of research projects using the facilities of the department or through cooperative agreements with many governmental laboratories. Students learn how to design, conduct, and analyze research in advanced laboratory courses as part of their curriculum.
Faculty members are involved in conducting research in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, carbohydrate chemistry, inorganic chemistry, biotechnology, organic synthesis, electrochemical energy conversion, nanomaterials chemistry, and physical chemistry. Laboratory research projects for both BS and MS students are available in our own well-equipped modern building and also at many world-renowned research laboratories in the Washington, DC area.
Research opportunities in the Washington area through internships, work-study programs, and special arrangements are available at the following laboratories: Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology, Food and Drug Administration, National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Institutes of Health, Naval Medical Research Institute, Naval Research Laboratory, Naval Surface Weapons Laboratory, US Army Mobility Equipment Research and Development Command at Fort Belvoir, and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Students who participate in these programs obtain experience with specialized equipment and interact with research scientists outside the university.
The Premedical programs of the College of Arts and Sciences, including a Postbaccalaureate Premedical (Undergraduate Certificate) , are available to help all undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, and graduate students who are considering a career in medicine or one of the allied health professions. For more information see Preprofessional Programs .
Special Opportunities
Teaching Certification
Students interested in obtaining teaching credentials for grades 7-12 may take a 36-credit hour Secondary Education (Second Major Only) or combine their undergraduate degree with the Teaching (MAT) with a concentration in secondary education. For information on admission and program requirements, see the School of Education secondary education programs.
Honors in Chemistry
The Honors in Chemistry program is a mark of distinction for undergraduates interested in pursuing a graduate training and research career in chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, biomedical, or related fields. The goal of the program is to prepare undergraduates for independent specialized research and to provide additional mentorship on professional practices and ethics that will allow the student to become creative, productive, collaborative colleagues in the future.
ProgramsMajor Program (UG)Minor (UG)Master’s Program (GR)Certificate (GR)
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