Chemistry
Message from the Chair
Dear Visitors:
Welcome to the webpage of the
Department of Physical Sciences. Our department offers
courses in chemistry and physics taught by instructors who
are dedicated to student success. I welcome you to explore
our virtual home and also hope that you will visit us in
person in Livingston.
Our department offers programs in
chemistry, chemical education, chemistry/pre pharmacy, and
chemistry/pre medicine. (Links will take you to a brief
description of our program and degree requirements) Our
graduates have an excellent record of admission to graduate,
medical, and professional programs after finishing their
studies at UWA. If further education is not in your
future, our graduates are sought after by local, regional,
and national companies.
What makes our program unique and
special is the close personal attention students receive
from faculty. All chemistry classes are taught by faculty
who have earned their Ph.D. Junior and senior level classes
have less than 12 students per class. This encourages
student/professor interaction. Students learn essential
laboratory skills ranging from the basic laboratory
measurements to operating complex analytical equipment (see
this link for our equipment list).
All students are encouraged to enroll
in a research class and work with a faculty member on a
research project. The research project may be developed by
the faculty or by the student. Students may start as early
as their sophomore year or wait until the summer before
their senior year. We encourage the student to take at
least three semesters of research; this will ensure a
completion of his/her project. In addition, each faculty
member has strong collaborations with various institutions
across the southeast, where our students can spend a summer
working with our collaborators. These partnerships include:
Dr. Bailey – University of Tennessee and University of
Alabama; Dr. Curry – University of Alabama; Dr. Kim –
University of Arkansas.
But it’s not all work for students in
our program. We have many student athletes who are both
talented in the classroom and their sport. Also, many of
our students work on and off campus, such as a lab
technician or resident assistant in the dorms. Many are
highly active in intramurals and have participated in local
plays and choirs. Finally, the department houses the student
chapter of the American Chemical Society which sponsors many
student activities throughout the year. Granted, you will
be working hard in our program, but we encourage you to have
fun as well.
We invite you to visit our department
and facilities along with your family, friends, or
teachers. For eligible students the university has a
variety of scholarships available, along with other
financial aid options. Additionally, the department offers
a limited number of scholarships specifically reserved for
chemistry majors. I look forward to seeing you on campus.
Cheers,
Dave Bailey
