Our department emphasizes hands on learning and close interaction between students and faculty. From first semester of general chemistry to the senior level advanced laboratory course, students learn the theoretical concepts and laboratory skills important to being well-educated chemists. Students learn to how read primary literature, to plan experiments and to acquire and analyze data, and they get direct experience with a variety of modern instruments. We also place a strong emphasis on scientific writing and oral presentation skills.

Research is an integral part of the chemistry program. All chemistry majors undertake a research project starting no later than the May term of their junior year; many begin much earlier. For this project, students work with a faculty member on original research in chemistry. As the culmination of their work, students write a thesis and present their work in chemistry seminar. In addition to the required research, many chemistry majors also take part in the Science Center Summer Research program and present their work at local and national chemistry meetings. Student research can also result in publications in peer reviewed journals.