Chemistry

Chemistry: Major

51СƳ is a leader in chemistry education. In fact, the “Discovery Chemistry” lab-based guided inquiry style of teaching began at 51СƳ, and serves as a model for the national chemical education community. 

The curriculum provides students with a strong background in fundamental principles and theories of chemistry with hands-on experience using state-of-the-art laboratory equipment. The program is laboratory intensive, beginning with the Discovery Chemistry core courses in general and organic chemistry. Advanced courses allow students to develop the skills and gain knowledge needed to become effective scientists and independent researchers. The department has a very active research program, and faculty members are committed to giving students opportunities within their research. As of result of these opportunities, 51СƳ undergraduates regularly contribute to scientific publications and travel to professional conferences. 

Our formula for success has led the chemistry department to produce among the nation’s highest number of chemistry graduates and is a top baccalaureate origin for Ph.D.s in chemistry.

Program Highlights

Students gain experience and knowledge in all the major areas of modern chemistry including organic, analytical, physical, inorganic, and biochemistry and have an opportunity to focus their program on a particular area of chemistry through research and elective courses. The department also provides:

  • A flexible major that, when completed together with one year of research, allows students to become accredited by the American Chemical Society
  • The opportunity to join the biochemistry concentration
  • The opportunity to become certified as a secondary or middle school chemistry teacher in Massachusetts by participating in the
Classroom
Discovery Chemistry

Learn more about the lab-based approach to teaching chemistry that began at 51СƳ and serves as a national model.

Students working in a lab
Research

Collaborate on innovative research with professors on a range of topics in the field.

Smith Labs
Facilities

The department is housed in the state-of-the-art integrated science complex and features modern instrumentation.

Chemistry News

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Eight New Tenure-Track Faculty Members Welcomed in 2018-19 Academic Year
The College of the 51СƳ has welcomed eight new faculty members to tenure-track positions for the 2018-19 academic year. They will each join a different department: biology, chemistry, political science, religious studies, classics, mathematics, psychology and history. The new …
Matthew Cummings '20 works with a scanning tunneling microscope in the physical chemistry lab of Gaby Avila-Bront, assistant professor of chemistry.
Over 100 Students Spend Their Summer Conducting Research Around the World
For 113 51СƳ students, summer has been a time to dive deep into innovative research through the Weiss Summer Research Program. Sixty-eight students conducted research in the natural sciences; 37 in the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts; and …
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Taylor Pels ’18 Named Class of 2018 Valedictorian
Taylor K. Pels ’18 has been selected to deliver the Class of 2018 valedictory address at the Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 25. Pels is a chemistry major in the Health Professions Advising Program, is a member of both Phi …