In the James Andrew Yates Department of Chemistry you will have the opportunity to explore the concepts and principles of chemistry in a setting that transforms you from a student into a chemist.
Your chemistry degree prepares you for a wide variety of fields including:
- Graduate Studies in Chemistry or Biochemistry
- Secondary Education Teaching (with an Education Degree)
- Medicine
- Research
- Health
- Industry
The chemistry and biochemistry majors are designed so you become scientifically literate and capable of critical thinking. Specifically, upon graduating from Jewell in chemistry or biochemistry, your understanding will include:
- Using the language and concepts of chemistry appropriately and effectively in written and oral communication
- Using the methodologies and models of chemistry to select, define, solve, and evaluate problems independently and collaboratively
- Designing, conducting, communicating, and evaluating meaningful chemical experiments
- Formulating scientifically-based decisions while drawing on concepts and experiences from relevant courses
- Critically evaluating evidence, interpretations, results and solutions related to chemistry within a real-life context
- Demonstrating research skills necessary to access needed data to support scientific inquiry
- Ask meaningful questions about real-world scientific issues and puzzles.
With decades of teaching experience, the chemistry faculty guides you through the learning process. The faculty pride themselves on offering chemistry students hands-on lab experiences that complement the lecture material. Integrating the lab and lecture material reinforces the overall learning experience. In the lab sections, taught personally by the chemistry faculty, you gain experience with equipment and instruments including a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, a UV-Vis spectrophotometer and a CAChe molecular modeling workstation.
With over 13,000 square feet of laboratory space, the White Science Center offers a modern, well-equipped environment in which to study chemistry. Classrooms are designed for small classes and close interaction between students and faculty. Our largest lecture hall seats 120 and is equipped with a LCD projector that is used for multimedia presentations. The teaching labs are designed for collaborative research projects between students and faculty.
Recent Jewell chemistry graduates entered firms such as Midwest Research Institute and Hoechst Marion Roussel and entered graduate programs at schools including:
- Mayo Medical School
- Tulane University
- University of Arkansas
- University of Kansas
- University of Missouri
- University of Wisconsin
