The
Department of Physical Sciences, housed in Wallace Hall,
provides courses in astronomy, chemistry, and physics. The
Department offers a major and minor in chemistry as well as
a chemistry education major. In addition, many students
planning for careers in pharmacy, medicine, or dentistry
find that a degree in chemistry from UWA provides an
excellent springboard for continuing their education in
those professional schools.
It is an
exciting time to be part of the chemistry program at UWA.
The program is growing with the addition of new faculty, new
equipment, and a new capital campaign. The student chapter
of the American Chemical Society engages in a variety of
extra-curriculum activities. Student participation in
undergraduate research projects is at an all time high.
The one
thing that has not changed, however, is the commitment to
close personal relationships between faculty and students.
Classes are kept small to assure that every student feels
like an individual, not a number. Instructors get to know
you by name and are happy to see you and help you outside of
the classroom. There are no graduate teaching assistants
separating you from your chemistry or physics professor at
UWA.
A key
element of this close faculty /student connection is the
department’s emphasis on undergraduate research that gives
you the chance to work one-on-one with faculty.
Undergraduate research also provides an excellent foundation
for later studies in graduate school. Thanks to the
generosity of many patrons, our labs are surprisingly well
equipped for a small, regional university. Instruments
currently being used can be found on this webpage and the
department has purchased a brand new research-grade
Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer. Working
with a professor engaging in original research gives you the
chance to become more intimately involved with the faculty
and to feel like part of the departmental team. You can be
more than just a student; you can be a partner in advancing
the frontiers of science.
If money is
a concern, the Department has scholarships earmarked
specifically for chemistry majors. And of course, the UWA
Office of Financial Aid has many other sources of financial
aid available if you qualify, whether you are an incoming
freshman or a transfer student. Call us for assistance in
this area if we can be of help.
Please
contact any of our faculty if you have questions; they will
be happy to talk to you. Or better yet, why not plan a
visit to see us? Just call us and we’ll work with you to
make arrangements for your visit.
