Students conducting a chemistry experiment

Chemistry

The chemistry program prepares students for grad school in chemistry, health professions, and those seeking strong analytical and technical skills for fields such as pharmaceuticals.

Overview

The chemistry program seeks to provide students with an understanding of chemical principles that enable them to solve routine or unusual problems in the areas of analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. Students also gain basic laboratory skills and the ability to select and utilize appropriate instrumentation to solve specified investigative problems. Students are expected to demonstrate skill at analyzing and communicating scientific concepts and experimental results as well as designing and conducting original investigations in chemistry.

Centre offers three degree options: (1) the basic chemistry major, (2) the major with American Chemical Society certification, and (3) the major with emphasis in biochemistry and the American Chemical Society certification. Possession of an ACS-certified degree means that upon graduation the student is immediately eligible for membership in the American Chemical Society. Those pursuing the ACS-certified degrees are strongly encouraged to carry out independent research under the direction of chemistry faculty (CHE 405).

Your Major Took You Where?

Chemistry majors have gone on to a variety of graduate programs and careers.

Employers

  • National Cancer Institute
  • Cal Laboratory
  • National Institute of Standards & Technology
  • Celanese Corporation
  • Pearson Education Publishing

Postgraduate Study

  • Georgia Institute of Technology
  • University of Kentucky
  • University of Louisville
  • University of Southern California
  • Wake Forest University

Curriculum

Three chemistry degree options are available at Centre. In addition to the basic chemistry major, two additional options are certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS): a degree with emphasis in chemistry, and one with emphasis in biochemistry. Each requires additional courses and collaborative research to reach a specified total of lecture and laboratory hours. Students completing these degrees are eligible for membership in the ACS immediately upon graduation.

Major Requirements

Minor Requirements

Chemistry Faculty

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January D. Haile

  • Chair of Science and Mathematics Division
  • Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Kerry Paumi headshot, lady with dark curly hair wearing black top with black background

Kerry Paumi

  • Associate Professor of Chemistry
  • Chief Health Professions Advisor
  • Medical School Advisor
  • Pre-Med Advisor
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Daniel Scott

  • Associate Professor of Chemistry
  • Pre-Pharmacy Advisor
Erin Wachter headshot, lady with brunette hair, glasses, green paisley top in front of black background

Erin Wachter

  • Associate Professor of Chemistry
  • Vice Chair of the Chemistry Program
  • Pre-Physician Assistant Advisor
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Karin (Kari) Young

  • H.W. Stodghill, Jr. and Adele H. Stodghill Associate Professor of Chemistry

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