The Central Science

Chemistry is fundamental to an understanding of the properties and reactions of matter. It is critical for the development of new drugs, compounds with new properties such as superconductors and nanomaterials, and the continual refinement of substances that make our lives more enjoyable.

Chemistry, the Central Science, is inherently interdisciplinary and is at the interface of many disciplines such as molecular biology, solid-state physics, and geology. The Chemistry Major is taught by dedicated and productive faculty who are committed to helping the student acquire:

  • skills necessary for critical and analytical thinking

  • an understanding of the basic concepts of chemistry

  • a feeling for the joys and frustrations of original research

  • the ability to communicate observations and discoveries

Chemistry majors routinely co-author research articles published in well-respected journals, and present their research at local and national meetings.  The student who majors in Chemistry at F&M receives an excellent, balanced education and is well-prepared for graduate work in chemistry, the pursuit of medicine, opportunities in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, and a variety of other career paths.

A HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE

• F&M is ranked 2nd among liberal arts institutions in the number of students who have obtained their PhD in Chemistry over the last decade.
• In a recent study F&M ranks 7th among liberal arts colleges in the number of students who obtain the M.D. degree.
• 100% of the F&M Chemistry majors who apply to graduate school are accepted by at least one institution; many are accepted to all of the institutions to which they apply. 
• 75% of the F&M Chemistry majors who apply to medical school are accepted by at least one institution.
• Chemistry faculty have produced 120 articles in peer-reviewed journals over the past two decades, of which more than 80% are co-authored by students.
• Among the top 50 national liberal arts colleges (US News and World Report, 2007), the Chemistry department ranks 4th in PhD productivity and 11th in the number of publications produced during the last decade.
• In the Research Corporation Academic Excellence report (2000) F&M ranked 2nd out of 136 participating institutions with respect to the total number of external grants received from 1986-2000 and 2nd in total NSF-RUI science awards among all 306 funded institutions.