Chemistry

Mission Statement

The mission of the Chemistry Department is to provide a strong chemistry foundation for students majoring in chemistry and for students pursuing a career in professional fields requiring some chemistry knowledge. The department is also committed to the liberal arts concept of providing a broad background of knowledge and encouraging students to learn about all areas of study.

Why major in Chemisty?

A chemistry major offers a wide variety of career opportunities. The chemical industry offers opportunities in research, quality control, and management. Research can also be carried out in an academic setting. Teaching, particularly at the secondary or college level, is another career avenue.

There is also demand for chemists in other areas that may be less obvious. For instance, the National Gallery of Art has a team of chemists responsible for analyzing works of art for art historical and conservation purposes. Many chemists have also taken their degrees and gone into the legal profession, particularly patent law. Forensic scientists use chemistry to aid law enforcement in solving crimes. Some chemists also go into government work as advisers and inspectors. A chemistry degree can also be of value for anyone interested in science journalism.

Majoring in chemistry as an undergraduate also provides a good basis for further study in other, related fields such as biochemistry, pharmacology, environmental science, geology, and chemical engineering. All of these areas require a solid chemistry background. Chemistry also provides a good background for medicine and related fields such as dentistry and pharmacy.

Chemistry also plays an important role in the liberal arts. The liberal arts emphasize a broad background of knowledge, encouraging students to learn about all areas of study. Chemistry, with its necessary logic and reasoning skills, assists in developing a well-educated individual, which is the college's goal.

Jamestown College has a long tradition of strength and excellence in the sciences. In the 75 years since the chemistry major was established, the faculty has remained committed to stretching the borders of a student's mind and thought, to challenge and understand the very elements of the world around us.

Strengths of the Program

The key to our success is that we offer small classes and close, personal attention in a scientifically nurturing environment. This provides you with rigorous, interesting classes in an informal setting with professors who want to help you learn and prepare you for the future. Every lecture and laboratory is taught by a full-time professor not a graduate teaching assistant. Plus, you gain hands-on experience with a wide variety of instrumentation, beginning with the first semester of your freshman year.

Our graduates are prepared to enter secondary teaching, industry or government. However most of our chemistry majors enter graduate or professional schools immediately after graduation. For the student who wishes a career in research, an advanced degree is almost mandatory.

Since our emphasis is on teaching rather than research, we strongly encourage our research-oriented students to spend one or more summers in a research university. Past placements have included Argonne National Laboratories near Chicago, Oak Ridge National Laboratories in Tennessee, San Jose State University in California, Texas A&M, Washington State University, University of Oklahoma, Kansas State University, and University of Nebraska.

Major Laboratory Equipment

• Beckmann UV-Visible Recording Spectrophotometer interfaced to an IBM-compatible PC
• Mattson Satellite Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer
• Beckmann High Pressure Liquid Chromatograph
• Shimadzu Gas Chromatograph with flame ionization and thermal conductivity detectors
• Parr 1455 Solution Calorimeter
• Parr Adiabatic Combustion Calorimeter
• Heidolph Rotary Evaporator
• Abbe Refractometer
• GOW MAC TCD Gas Chromatograph
• Barnstead-Thermolyne 21100 Tube Furnace
• Barnstead-Thermolyne 48000 Muffle Furnace

About Majors and Minors

The student may elect to major in chemistry or biochemistry. The chemistry major is well suited to the student interested in pursuing a job in the chemical industry, seeking a position in a chemistry graduate program or seeking a position in a medical program. The biochemistry major is ideal for the student interested in seeking a position concerning biochemical research or a position in a medical or pharmacy program.