Bachelor in Chemistry

The Wabash College Chemistry Department believes in a challenging curriculum, which thoroughly investigates all areas of modern chemistry, and in a significant hands-on laboratory experience in which students become progressively more independent as they proceed through the curriculum. We believe that such an education prepares chemistry majors for a variety of career outcomes, including those in research, medicine, teaching, and industry.

In recent years, three-fourths of our majors have gone to graduate school in chemistry/biochemistry or to medical school following graduation. Others have chosen to take jobs as chemists or high school teachers or to attend other professional schools (business, law, and physical therapy). We strive to provide chemistry minors and pre-medical students with the knowledge base they need to succeed in their chosen fields.

We seek to involve all Wabash students in the study of chemistry through non-majors courses such as CHE-101 Survey of Chemistry and CHE-106 Survey of Biochemistry. We attempt to teach all chemistry students about the relationship between chemistry and the world around them.

Goals

The core goals of the Chemistry Major are:

• Students will acquire a broad-based knowledge of general, organic, physical, analytical, inorganic, and biochemistry, and understand how these areas are interconnected.
• Students will be able to connect theory with experimental work, including being able to design, execute, and analyze experiments, and to present their results effectively. Students will develop confidence and precision in their laboratory technique.
• Students will have the ability to identify, comprehend, evaluate, and discuss primary chemical literature.
• Students will be able to effectively communicate chemical concepts to chemists, scientists, and the general public.
• Students will develop as scientists through research experiences.
• Students will engage the chemical and biochemical communities at Wabash and beyond.

Faculty Advisors

Majors are strongly urged to select an advisor from the Chemistry Department when they declare their major.

ACS Certified Degree

To meet the certification requirements formulated by the American Chemical Society Committee on Professional Training (CPT) as a chemist and for adequate preparation for graduate school, additional classroom and laboratory work beyond the minimum nine-course major is required. The student should consult with the Chair of the Chemistry Department concerning ways in which the remaining requirements may be fulfilled.

Advanced Placement

Please refer to the Credit by Examination and Advanced Placement Credit guidelines under Academic Policies - Transfer Credit. Potential chemistry majors and minors who wish to claim advanced placement credit should discuss placement options with the Department Chair. A placement examination will determine if students are eligible to being coursework beyond CHE-111 General Chemistry.