Chemistry
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
The mission of the Chemistry Department at Washington College is to provide outstanding undergraduate education in the chemical sciences by integrating classroom instruction with laboratory experimentation, faculty-student collaborative research, and service opportunities. Our goal is to inspire students to become liberally educated scientists. Our program is approved by the American Chemical Society. The Department offers two paths leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry: an ACS-Certified Chemistry major and a non-ACS Certified Chemistry major.
The Chemistry program is designed to prepare students for graduate work in pure chemistry, for professional work in other scientific fields such as environmental science, engineering, medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, neuroscience, and veterinary science, for teaching at the secondary school level, and for work in industrial or governmental laboratories. Chemistry graduates have established diverse career paths that range from a dedication to pure or applied scientific research, to management of scientific and business concerns, to consultantships with industries and governments on scientific, environmental, legal, and business issues, and to service as medical personnel and elected public officials.
Students who have an interest in majoring in chemistry or double majoring in chemistry and another subject are advised to take CHE 120 Chem Principles Org Molecules with Lab and CHE 140 Reactions of Organic Molecules with Lab during their first year. Premedical students and students interested in the 3:4 pharmacy program are advised to take CHE 120 Chem Principles Org Molecules with Lab, CHE 140 Reactions of Organic Molecules with Lab and BIO 111 General Biology I with Lab, BIO 112 General Biology II with Lab during their first year.
Students intending to teach at the secondary school level should consult with the Chair of the Department of Education and the Chair of the Department of Chemistry about planning a full-course schedule as early as possible in their college career. Such students need to be aware that the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) in Chemistry requires BIO 111 General Biology I with Lab, BIO 112 General Biology II with Lab and at least one course in computer science.