Augustana College offers a major and minor in chemistry, a major and minor in biochemistry, and a major for teaching chemistry. The program is nationally accredited by the American Chemical Society. With Old Main in the background, a student works in the Science Building. Eight of the nine full-time faculty hold the Ph.D.; all are active in research and teach laboratory sessions. Pamela Trotter holds the Robert W. Beart Chair in Chemistry, an endowed position that supports her collaboration with students in research and preparations for presenting at conferences. One chemistry faculty member also advises Augustana's pre-pharmacy program, a degree program typically requiring two years of study at an undergraduate school followed by fours years at an accredited school of pharmacy. The curriculum for Augustana's program focuses on chemistry, biology, mathematics, physics and coursework to build a strong liberal arts foundation. The acceptance rate of Augustana students into pharmacy schools has been 95 percent over the past five years. The chemistry department's close proximity to other departments in the Science Building -- biology and physics -- supports a great deal of interdisciplinary study and research in the sciences. Five laboratories are dedicated to undergraduate research in chemistry, including the new and extensive Guehler biochemistry laboratory. Special equipment includes a 400 MHz liquid- and solid-state NMR spectrometer, scanning electron microscope and instrumentation for X-ray powder crystallography. Outside the classroom Given the nature of the discipline and the devotion of the faculty to collaborative research, Augustana's chemistry students are heavily involved in research both in and out of the classroom, during the academic year and in the summer. Grants are available for on- and off-campus student research. Senior Inquiry --a capstone experience for all Augustana students -- is the focal research experience for chemistry majors. The multiple-part process includes laboratory research on campus or 8-10 weeks performing research at another institution during the summer before the senior year. Many chemistry and biochemistry majors attend and present at regional and national conferences. Recent examples include the Argonne Undergraduate Research Symposium at the nearby Argonne National Laboratories, the Midstates Consortium for Math and Science Undergraduate Research Symposium, the annual Sigma Xi meeting, and the annual meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Augustana's more than 150 campus organizations provide opportunities for comaraderie, professional preparation and dynamic interchange for like minds on campus. Students of chemistry often participate in the college's student-affiliate chapter of the American Chemical Society, which has won awards from the national chapter each year for the past five years.

-