Chemistry

Chemistry is a major and minor at F&M. You will immerse yourself in the scientific method, educational discovery, and creative process to gain an understanding of the basic concepts of chemistry. You will graduate with a solid basis in chemistry concepts, advanced experimental skills, and an ability to engage in scientific literature and with both written and oral communication of scientific ideas. Through hands-on research and laboratory work, you will “learn how to learn” to effectively engage in projects and experiments, studying processes and reactions at many different scales. 

Accredited by the American Chemical Society, F&M’s chemistry department is distinctive in its emphasis on student-faculty collaboration. In fact, our chemistry professors have won numerous awards for their integrative teaching and research. Typically, the same professor engages with you in the classroom and in the lab. Our small class sizes and hands-on involvement from our faculty mean you can interact closely with your professors, enjoying unrivaled support and forming enduring mentorships. 

By the time you graduate, you will be able to demonstrate: 

• The ability to think, write, and speak clearly and logically
• Knowledge and understanding of chemical phenomena, principles, and concepts including in analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry
• The ability to review and understand scientific literature, including evaluating its quality and relevance; interpreting, analyzing, and critiquing its content; and drawing conclusions from multiple sources
• Skills in scientific research, including understanding how to generate hypotheses and design experiments to test them, analyze data to arrive at a scientific conclusion, and effectively communicate results

Wondering what chemistry courses are like? Explore our course catalog to see what classes are available to you.

Research & Independent Study Opportunities

A staple of your chemistry experience at F&M is the extraordinary opportunity to engage in research and independent study. You’ll find remarkable opportunities to join your professors’ research projects, allowing you to leave your footprint on what often are years-long endeavors. Many students begin chemistry research during their first or second year at F&M, and continue throughout their time here.

Chemistry faculty are expert researchers working on a wide array of cutting-edge topics, frequently publishing in national and international chemistry journals. F&M’s Chemistry Department has been awarded substantial funding to support these research programs and to enrich the student experience. Student researchers are involved in all aspects of research; mentored closely by your professors, you’ll read scholarly papers to understand the theoretical background, work in the lab to learn new techniques and troubleshoot experiments, and even make your own innovative contributions. You’ll have opportunities to see your work published in leading scholarly journals, as an astounding 85% of our chemistry faculty publications are co-authored by students. Students also have opportunities to present their work at regional and national meetings.

A large number of students are provided a stipend to engage in research with chemistry faculty members on campus during the summer.
Explore research at F&M

Honors in Chemistry

Completing research or an independent study could also lead to honors in chemistry. To be considered for honors, you must first be nominated based on either the results of your summer research or academic year independent study. Your research must show results that are publishable, and you must demonstrate independent contributions to the project, produce a well-written thesis, hold a successful defense of the project before a faculty committee, and show exceptional commitment and understanding.

Off-Campus Study

For a well-rounded understanding of chemistry research around the world, students often choose to study abroad. Previous students have visited New Zealand, Scotland, Ireland, England, Australia, and France.
Explore off-campus study at F&M

Highly qualified students interested in studying chemistry at F&M have exciting opportunities to engage in research beginning the summer before their first year at F&M. Created by W. Scott Moore, M.D. ’74 and supported by Charles D. Schaeffer Jr., Ph.D. ’70, candidates are hand-selected to receive up to $3,000 for 3 to 4 weeks of research with a faculty member. Award recipients are expected to major in chemistry or a related field and continue doing research throughout their four years at F&M. 

As a Moore-Schaeffer Scholar, you can also look forward to:

• Free room and board during your 3 to 4 weeks of research
• Undergraduate research publications: Over the past 20 years, there was an average of one research publication per Moore-Schaeffer Scholar. Several who continued research during their four years at F&M earned multiple publications.
• Study abroad opportunities: Recent Moore-Schaeffer Scholars and other F&M chemistry majors have successfully studied abroad at Heidelberg University, Germany; University of Otago, New Zealand; and University of South Wales, Australia.
• Success beyond F&M: Upon graduating from F&M, Moore-Schaeffer Scholars have gone on to pursue advanced degrees at instutitions like Harvard University, Princeton University, Northwestern University, Cornell University, Columbia University, and more. 

For more information, please contact Jen Morford, Charles A. Dana Professor of Chemistry at jmorford@fandm.edu, or Scott Brewer, Professor of Chemistry at sbrewer@fandm.edu. 

The William M. Hackman Physical Sciences Laboratories

The hub of chemistry at F&M is the William M. Hackman Physical Sciences Laboratories building. Hackman houses six instructional laboratories, 12 student/faculty research laboratories, four instrument rooms, a chemistry lounge and a chemical stockroom, and state-of-the-art instrumentation for faculty and student use, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers, mass spectrometers, infrared (IR) spectrophotometers, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and fluorimeter. 

Martin Library of the Sciences

Additional resources for chemistry students include F&M’s two research libraries: Shadek-Fackenthal Library and Martin Library of the Sciences. Martin is especially popular among science students, as it contains ample study spaces, electronic access to nationally and internally renowned scientific journals, and more than 60,000 volumes in the sciences.
Learn more about the F&M College Library

You’ve completed your degree and are ready for your next step, but what is it? The confidence and independence you’ll earn studying chemistry allows you to pursue a wide variety of opportunities beyond graduation. The innovative and intellectual activities that make up the work of chemistry — including observing, analyzing, collaborating with others, and objective thought — help you develop useful and productive skills, which are valuable for any post-college plan.

Graduate School

More than 70% of chemistry majors attend graduate school, medical school or law school after graduating from F&M. The skills gained by studying chemistry at F&M — including the ability to reason, analyze data, and understand scientific methodology — make our graduates highly valuable candidates for graduate school. Nearly all majors who apply to graduate school and 94% of majors who apply to medical school are accepted by at least one institution. Many chemistry graduates also pursue advanced degrees in engineering after participating in F&M’s dual degree engineering program.

Our graduates have studied at institutions such as:

• California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Pennsylvania State College of Medicine
• Princeton University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Vanderbilt University

Career Paths

Chemistry graduates also embark on careers in healthcare, law, government, engineering, education, and the environment. They work at organizations such as:

• American Chemical Society
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
• Duracell
• Dow Chemical
• Eurofins
• Merck
• Pfizer
• NASA
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration

They hold positions such as: 

• Associate Editor
• Clean Chemistry Team Leader
• Clinical Researcher
• Dentist
• Engineer
• Field Chemist
• Forensic Scientist
• Marketing Manager
• Organic Chemist
• Physician
• Professor
• Research Space Scientist
• Veterinarian