Teaching & Research Labs
The department features seven modern laboratories for classroom research and four dedicated labs for use in independent research with faculty. The facilities are designed to expedite workflow and promote collaboration.
Chemistry Majors
“The synthesis of molecules puts chemistry very close to the arts. We create the objects that we or others then study or appreciate.”
– Roald Hoffmann
Chemistry allows us to understand the way atoms and molecules behave and how those behaviors lead to everything we know and love. It is the study of matter and all of the changes that matter can undergo. Chemistry majors strive to understand diverse phenomena from a molecular point of view.
About the Majors
OWU offers three distinct majors in chemistry to meet the educational and career goals of students.
- B.A. Chemistry. The Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry prepares you to enter various positions in the chemical industry, enter some graduate programs, and to teach high school chemistry.
- B.S. Chemistry. The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry prepares you to pursue professional careers in the chemical industry, graduate work in chemistry, or other fields that require a strong chemistry background with a foundation in all five of the major subdisciplines of chemistry. This major is also appropriate for students intending to pursue careers in medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, secondary school teaching, industrial sales, or other fields that require a solid chemistry background and who want a more developed major than that offered by the B.A. Chemistry major.
Related Minors
Think Big
Conduct independent research under the guidance of a faculty member in areas as diverse as computer modeling, synthesis and analysis of inorganic complexes, design and testing of probes for environmental analysis, synthesis of complex organic molecules, and chemical modification of proteins.
Participate in the Summer Science Research Program, a 10-week intensive program, and present your results at the Patricia Belt Conrades Summer Science Research Symposium in the fall.
Water Purification Research
During the 10-week Summer Science Research Program, Alexander Landgraf ’16 collaborated with his professor on research to improve water purification processes.
Go Global
You can take Travel-Learning Courses that combine classroom exploration with on-the-ground practical experiences. Chemistry professors have brought students to Germany and Italy.
You also can receive OWU Connection Grants to conduct research in labs, universities, and other organizations around the world.
Chemistry & Art
OWU students visited Italy as part of a Chemistry and Art Travel-Learning Course. During the trip, students learned how chemistry plays a vital role in the creation, preservation, restoration, destruction, forgery detection, and analysis of the many works of art throughout Italy.
Get Real
Build your experience and connections to the professional world with internships at research centers, universities, and other organizations. Recent OWU students have completed internships at the Mayo Clinic, Nationwide Children's Hospital, and the Field Museum in Chicago.
Chemistry students also complete internships with Airable Research Lab, a commercial laboratory located in OWU's Schimmel/Conrades Science Center. Airable is associated with the Ohio Soybean Council.
Highlights
GC Mass Spectrometer
A mass spectrometer measures the mass/charge ratio of samples that have been ionized. OWU's Shimazu QP5000 Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) features electron-impact ionization and a quadrupole mass spectrometer. It is fitted with a robotic sampler for automated and unattended operation.
Student Assistantships
Chemistry majors put their expertise to work in a number of paid positions at OWU, including lab assistants, tutors, graders, and stockroom assistants.
Science Lecture Series
Thursday is Science Lecture Series day at OWU. Researchers from across the country in biology, chemistry, computer science and mathematics, geology, physics, and neuroscience discuss their work in lectures aimed at the general science audience of faculty and students.
Graduate Outcomes
Breane Budaitis '14
A double-major in Chemistry and Genetics, Breane received a prestigious 2016 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. She received her doctorate in cellular and molecular biology at the University of Michigan Medical School in 2020.
A Look at Chemistry
See All 13 ItemsSummer Research— Kaytlin Ward ’21 worked with Professors Dave Lever (pictured) and Allen Pistner on a summer research project continuing work to find an effective route of synthesizing an organic molecule called a dipyrrin. The molecule can be used in targeted cancer treatment and fuel cells.
Summer Research
Kaytlin Ward ’21 worked with Professors Dave Lever (pictured) and Allen Pistner on a summer research project continuing work to find an effective route of synthesizing an organic molecule called a dipyrrin. The molecule can be used in targeted cancer treatment and fuel cells.
Student Symposium— Students from every department present at the annual Student Symposium each spring.
Student Symposium
Students from every department present at the annual Student Symposium each spring.
Airable Research Lab— Through his internship with Airable Research Lab, Josh Queener '20 researched a bio-based catalyst that converts soy-based fatty acids into safe chemicals.
Airable Research Lab
Through his internship with Airable Research Lab, Josh Queener '20 researched a bio-based catalyst that converts soy-based fatty acids into safe chemicals.
Chemistry and Music— Chemistry and Music Composition major "L.K." Khoa '16 presents his work at the Student Symposium.
Chemistry and Music
Chemistry and Music Composition major "L.K." Khoa '16 presents his work at the Student Symposium.
Department Contact Info
Location
Schimmel/Conrades Science Center
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH 43015
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH 43015
P 740-368-3907
F 740-368-3999
F 740-368-3999
Department Contact
Chair: Katherine Thomas
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Schimmel/Conrades Science Center 362
740-368-3526
klthomas@owu.edu
Academic Assistant: Judy Arlington
Schimmel/Conrades Science Center 201
740-368-3907
jaarlington@owu.edu
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Schimmel/Conrades Science Center 362
740-368-3526
klthomas@owu.edu
Academic Assistant: Judy Arlington
Schimmel/Conrades Science Center 201
740-368-3907
jaarlington@owu.edu