Over the course of the past century and a half, physics, chemistry, and mathematics have evolved into interdependent but separate intellectual disciplines. This development is reflected in the departmental structure of the School of Physical Sciences. In the same period, these fundamental disciplines have moved into domains of abstraction unimagined by early scientists. 

This trend to abstraction with its concomitant increase in understanding of the physical universe provides the major challenge to the student of the physical sciences. Mathematics, physics, and chemistry, while providing the foundation of the technology that dominates contemporary civilization, underlie to an ever-increasing extent the new developments in the biological and social sciences. Earth system science is grounded in the traditional physical sciences while breaking new paths in the quantitative study of changes in the global environment.

The major in Chemistry is elected by students planning careers in the chemical sciences and frequently also by those whose interests lie in biology, medicine, earth sciences, secondary education, business, and law. 

The curriculum of the Department is designed to satisfy the diverse needs of these students and others who may have occasion to study chemistry. The undergraduate program of the Chemistry Department emphasizes close contact with research. Chemistry majors are urged to engage in research or independent study under the direction of a faculty member.