Chemistry
Bachelor of Arts (teaching certification in grades 7-12 available); Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, pre-professional (pre-medicine, pre-pharmacy, pre-dentistry, pre-engineering); Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
At a Glance
What's cooking in UWG's Chemistry department? For starters, this major offers small classes, paid laboratory and research assistant positions, an individualized education in all levels of scientific thought and practice, the opportunity to attend and present research at local, state and national events, internships with crime labs, environmental agencies, hospitals and pharmacies, special courses in chemical engineering, an expanded and ultra-modern learning center, the preparation for work in such fields as forensics, information science and marketing and – well, you get the idea. Now that you know what the Chemistry department can cook up for you, the only question left is: What would you like to cook up in the Chemistry department?
Why should I choose UWG's Chemistry program?
- The Department of Chemistry is committed to excellence in undergraduate chemical education and undergraduate research while providing individual attention via small classes taught by professors, not graduate students.
- Strengths include preparing students for graduate study in chemistry; professional study such as medicine, chemical engineering, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary science; positions in industry, government service and teaching.
- The B.S. program is certified by the American Chemical Society's (ACS) Committee on Professional Training.
Are there any special opportunities available?
- Faculty-directed research opportunities are available that increase interest and excitement in science through scientific inquiry, develop independent scientific thought and practice, increase awareness of opportunities, provide a context that encourages better performance in academic courses, and provide individual attention from faculty.
- Paid student laboratory assistant positions and research assistant positions.
- Opportunity to attend and present research at professional meetings at the national, regional and state levels.
- Internship and co-op opportunities with agencies such as crime lab, Center for Disease Control, Southwire, Environmental Protection Agency, local hospitals and pharmacies.
- Special topic courses in organic, inorganic, analytical, physical, biochemistry and chemical engineering.
What can I do after graduation, graduate school and job-wise?
- Careers
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- Graduates will find an impressive array of career options and exciting opportunities in fields such as basic research, environmental protection, instrumentation, new product and process development, technical marketing, market research, forensic chemistry, information science and teaching at all levels.
- An education in chemistry is valuable in health sciences such as medicine, pharmacology, clinical chemistry and industrial hygiene.
- Chemists are considered to be one of the most versatile of all scientists and are valuable members of a team enjoying personal satisfaction, professional status, and a better-than-average salary.
- Further Education
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- Over 50% of our graduates from the last four years are pursuing a graduate degree in chemistry or a medical degree or a pharmacy degree at such universities as Harvard University, Caltech, UCLA, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, University of Alabama, University of Tennessee, Mercer University, Loma Linda University, University of Georgia at Athens and University of Virginia.
What kind of student organizations, clubs or honorary societies can I join?
- An active ACS affiliated chemistry club sponsors professional and social events.
- Professional events include: seminars, career exploration, industrial field trips and outreach activities.
- Social events include sporting events, barbecues.
What kind of facilities and equipment will be made available to me?
- Present facilities include modern and well-equipped teaching and research laboratories in addition to several instrumentation rooms.
- Instrumentation available for teaching and research include nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer; a laser system; CD spectrometer; computer workstations; an ultra-high vacuum surface science chamber; and silicon graphics workstations.
Does the faculty specialize in certain areas?
- Faculty members have a wide variety of interests and offer courses that cover a wide spectrum.
- Most faculty members received their Ph.D.s in the 1990s, reflecting the youth and vitality of the department.
- Collaboration between the faculty in teaching and research allows students to be exposed to a unique combination of topics in chemistry and the sciences.
- General Research Interests:
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- Drug design and synthesis
- Surface chemistry
- Computer assisted molecular design
- Environmentally benign synthesis
- Protein folding
- Teaching innovations
- Environmental problems
- Electron transfer
- Transition metal compounds
- Laser spectroscopy
- Mass spectrometry
