Chemistry

Chair Shouzhong Zou

Full-Time Faculty

Professor J.E. Girard, S. Zou
Associate Professor Emeritus F.W. Carson
Associate Professor S. Costanzi, D. Fox, M. Konaklieva
Assistant Professor M. Hartings
Senior Professorial Lecturer S. Dehghan
Professorial Lecturer J. Axe, M. Lansigan, S. Rodriguez-Valazquez, M. Tiso

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 the Biochemistry (BS) . Besides training for a career or graduate study in chemistry, 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 standard chemical instrumentation, including spectrometers and chromatographic equipment. Laboratory facilities in the Beeghly Building include modern teaching and research laboratories as well as specialized laboratories established for research in biochemistry, polymer chemistry, nanomaterials chemistry, electrochemistry, and carbohydrate chemistry, and for work requiring an inert atmosphere. 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 biochemistry. 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

Anthony M. Schwartz Undergraduate Research Fellowship
Gloria Likins Scholarship for Undergraduate Women
Qualified junior and senior chemistry majors may conduct research under CHEM-390 /CHEM-490 Independent Study Project in Chemistry (1-6) .
A cooperative work-study program involving several research organizations is available through the Department of Chemistry. Undergraduate students work full time for six months and study at the university for five months.

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

To complete the Honors in Chemistry program, students are required to: (1) complete four semesters of professional chemistry experience, of which two semesters must include the Capstone project, outside of the standard curriculum; (2) complete and publicly defend a two-semester Capstone project; (3) complete an additional six credits of upper level courses in chemistry, biochemistry or related fields. The Capstone in chemistry is an original research project that is completed under the mentorship of a full-time faculty member in chemistry or an approved mentor. Students are encouraged to enroll in CHEM-498 and CHEM-499 to fulfill the Capstone project. Examples of professional chemistry experience include, but are not limited to, an independent reading or research project, a summer research project, participation in an REU or similar program, an internship at a national lab, or an internship at a corporation.

Students should apply for the Honors in Chemistry program in the spring of their sophomore year. Students may apply in their junior year, but it is their responsibility to ensure that all requirements will be met by the end of senior year. Admission requirements are: (1) a minimum overall GPA of 3.5; (2) completed, received transfer credit, or enrolled in six out of the following seven courses for their equivalent(s): CHEM-110, CHEM-210, CHEM-310, CHEM-320, MATH-221, MATH-222, and MATH-313 or STAT-203 with a minimum GPA of 3.5 (students in the program must meet a minimum GPA of 3.67 in the major by the end of their junior year); (4) a written application. Application materials require the sponsorship of one faculty member of the Department of Chemistry and should be emailed to the Undergraduate Advisor for the department.

Candidates for the honors program are strongly encouraged to attend department seminars and to participate in professional development and outreach activities sponsored and/or organized by the department.

Programs

Major

Minor

Master’s Program

Chemistry (MS)