Chemistry, a dynamic science constantly changing as discoveries are being made, is often referred to as the central science. The life sciences, physical sciences and earth sciences all demand an understanding of chemical principles. Chemistry seeks to answer fundamental questions about the makeup of all the materials that compose our world, from tiny atoms to giant galaxies. From such knowledge has come the ability to create materials fulfilling the needs of society. Some of these materials have never before been found on Earth! Along with the study of this exciting field, students find ample opportunities throughout our curriculum to develop skills in problem solving and critical thinking. These skills are essential for success in today's world.

The Chemistry Department is housed in spacious laboratories well-equipped with modern laboratory instrumentation and microcomputers. The Chemistry Program is supported by an excellent science library housed within the science complex and includes extensive bibliographic resources, both locally and through the Internet.

The Earlham College Chemistry Department offers a thorough grounding across the entire range of sub-disciplines: analytical, organic, inorganic, physical and biochemistry. Students interested in careers in biochemistry or health professions combine study in chemistry with additional courses in biology. Earlham's Chemistry Program is accredited by the American Chemical Society.

Research is at the heart of the Earlham College Chemistry experience whether it's during the academic year, full-time during the summer or for an entire semester at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. While on campus, students work collaboratively with faculty members on projects such as antioxidant properties of natural products, cloning and expression of genes for metalloproteins, analyses of heavy metals and pesticides in the environment, image acquisition and analysis, the design and synthesis of biologically and/or structurally interesting organic molecules, study of the interactions of peptides and biomolecules with synthetic cell membranes to help further understand cell function, and the synthesis and computational study of transition metal complexes. This collaborative research uses the most sensitive instrumentation and modern techniques available.

Some of the specialized equipment available for these projects, as well as for use in other regular Chemistry courses, includes infrared, atomic absorption, and rapid-scanning ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometers; gas chromatographs; high-performance and low-pressure liquid chromatographs; a GC-MS spectrometer; a high resolution tunable dye laser system; a dual-view ICP spectrophotometer; a 400 MHz NMR with tunable probe and variable temperature capabilities; a portable XRF system; and inert atmosphere gloveboxes.

The Department prepares alumni for a variety of careers, including medicine, teaching, scientific research in the chemical and biochemical fields and environmental science. More than 80 percent of our graduates go on to advanced study of chemistry, biochemistry, environmental chemistry, medicine or related fields; others enter the workforce directly in companies such as Roche, Chemstation and the Schepens Eye Research Institute. Recent graduates have gone on to Ph.D. programs at universities such as Harvard, Duke, Purdue, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Tennessee and Utah. Other graduates have entered M.D. and M.D.-Ph.D. programs at medical schools such as Case Western, Chicago, Harvard, Tulane, Baylor, Indiana, Johns Hopkins University and University of Pennsylvania.