Eight of the nine full-time faculty hold a Ph.D.; all are active in research and teach laboratory sessions.

One faculty member also advises Augustana?s pre-pharmacy program, a degree program typically requiring two years of study at an undergraduate school followed by four years at an accredited school of pharmacy. The curriculum for Augustana?s program focuses on chemistry, biology, mathematics, physics and coursework to build strong liberal arts foundation.

Chemistry students are heavily involved in research in and out of the classroom during the academic year and summer. Grants are available for on- and off-campus student research.

Many chemistry and biochemistry majors attend and present at regional and national conferences. Recent examples include the Argonne Undergraduate Research Symposium at Argonne National Laboratories near Chicago, the Midstates Consortium for Math and Science Undergraduate Research Symposium and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Augustana has an active student chapter of the American Chemical Society that offers tutoring. The community looks forward to the club's annual Chemistry Week open house and "Night of Explosions."

Chemistry is housed in the Hanson Hall of Science along with physics and biology. There are four floors, two large lecture halls, 37 teaching and research labs, seminar rooms, four study lounges, classrooms ranging from 30 to 150 seats and a greenhouse. "The Commons" is a three-story polygonal atrium, with a skylight and helical stair.