Chemistry (BS.CHE)

For further information about this major, contact the Chemistry Coordinator (Dr. Tim Thibodeau): timothy.thibodeau@castleton.edu

Chemistry is the study of the properties of matter and the ways in which matter interacts, combines, and changes. It is inherently interdisciplinary in nature, with connections to the life sciences, geology, physics and mathematics. 

The Chemistry major consists of a set of core chemistry, physics, and mathematics courses plus a flexible selection of upper level courses. This allows students to explore topics of interest and prepare for a wide range of graduate programs, careers and professions. All Chemistry majors will develop strong laboratory skills and have experience with state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation.

Students completing the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry will demonstrate:

• Proficiency in laboratory skills related to safety, use of equipment and instrumentation, and solution preparation.
• Ability to develop a systematic method of analysis in order to answer a scientific question.
• Understanding of basic chemical principles of chemical structure, bonding, reactivity, equilibrium, thermodynamics, and kinetics.
• Understanding of qualitative and quantitative instrumentation (tools) used by the chemist to characterize samples of all states of matter.
• Ability to communicate scientific findings (understandings) both orally and in the written form.
• Ability to search the current chemistry literature of peer reviewed journals to extract information of interest.
• Understanding of quantum mechanics and its relationship to energy of bonds, molecules, and reactions.