Overview of Chemistry Department

Shepherd University offers a comprehensive program of courses in chemistry designed to serve students who plan to seek admission to graduate programs in biochemistry, chemistry or medicine, or plan to seek employment in the chemical or chemically related industries. The Department has four full-time professors and several part-time adjunct faculty. Typically there are about 40 chemistry majors in the program. The Department is housed in the recently finished Byrd Science Center and is very well equipped with modern instrumentation.

Our Chemistry Graduates Include:

College and university professors of chemistry, researchers in chemistry and biochemistry, workers in environmental remediation, administrators at medical insurance companies, physicians, dentists, pharmacists, patent lawyers, editors of scientific journals. Many recent graduates have gone on to graduate  and professional schools such as Penn State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Maryland, West Virginia University, University of Delaware, Florida State University, North Carolina State University, University of Virginia, Ohio University and Marshall School of Medicine.

You Can Choose a Concentration in Chemistry That Suits Your Interests:

All Chemistry majors take the core courses which include: General Chemistry I and II, Organic Chemistry I and II, Analytical Chemistry, Instrumental Analysis, Solution Chemistry, Computers in Science, Research in Chemistry, and Physics I and II.

Students in the Traditional Concentration also take Thermodynamics, Spectroscopy, Advanced Physical Chemistry Lab, and Calculus I and II. Students in the Traditional Concentration usually minor in mathematics or computer science. This concentration stresses physical chemistry and is chosen by those interested in employment or graduate programs in physical or analytical chemistry.

Students in the Biochemistry Concentration also take Biochemistry I and II, Calculus with Applications, and Statistics. They complete a minor in molecular biology. This area of study can lead to employment or graduate studies in the biochemical/biomedical fields. Students planning to go to medical, dental, veterinary, or pharmacy schools usually choose the Biochemistry Concentration.

Students in the Environmental Concentration also take Environmental Chemistry, 13 credits of environmental science, 8 credits of earth science, 7 credits of mathematics, and 4 of biology. This concentration is designed for students desiring to enter graduate programs or those who want to work for environmental companies and organizations.

What are the Advantages for Chemistry Students at Shepherd University?

• You work in new, state-of-the-art laboratories in the Byrd Science Center.
• From the start you are trained to use sophisticated and expensive modern instrumentation.
• You are involved in research in your junior and senior years, and you present your findings at national meetings and in journal articles.
• You have the opportunity for internships and co-ops.
• In every lecture and lab you are taught by Ph.D.'s who are available for help and advice at any time.
• You have the support of a very active campus chapter of the chemistry fraternity, Sigma Pi Epsilon, an affiliate of the American Chemical Society