Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics

NICOLINE KIWIET, Pd.D., Chairperson

Mission:

The mission of the Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, & Physics is to cultivate the intellectual autonomy of students while encouraging curiosity and the development of skills to be ethical, competent, and confident chemists and constructive members of the broader scientific community.

Departmental Goals

To be nationally recognized by high schools as a place to send their best students and by graduate schools as a place to recruit high-quality students.
To place graduating students in competitive positions of their choice in graduate schools, professional schools, secondary schools, and industry.
To provide an environment that fosters continued professional growth of the faculty, including the ability to stay active and vital in their respective fields of research.
To engage students in publication-quality research.
To contribute to increased scientific knowledge through presentations and publications.

Goals for Students

To Achieve Understanding: Chemistry education at Marist College will emphasize depth of understanding over memorization. Faculty and curricula will foster the ability to solve problems through the understanding and application of fundamental scientific principles. Students will demonstrate factual knowledge by application of key concepts to solve theoretical, laboratory, and research problems.
To Develop Skills: Students will develop skills in: laboratory procedure; data keeping and processing; teamwork and leadership; mathematical reasoning; computational methods; retrieval and use of informational resources; and oral and written communication. Students also will learn and practice safe and responsible methods for chemical work.
To Develop Values: Students will be held to the highest ethical standards in everything they do, including the recording and reporting of data. Students will also be exposed to other ethical issues in science, including responsible treatment of data reporting scientific information, ethical misconduct, issues in human and animal experimentation, and the relationship of chemistry to society.
To Learn Research Methods: Most of our students will learn research methods by participating in original research, working closely with a faculty member. Those who do not undertake extensive research projects nevertheless will be exposed to the techniques and methods of chemical research through laboratory work.
To Increase Awareness of Self: Students will become aware of their personal learning styles so that they can develop intellectually and continue to grow intellectually.

In support of our mission and goals, research-rich, challenging curricula engage undergraduate chemistry and biochemistry majors amidst a supportive environment featuring exceptional access to faculty and facilities. Two American Chemical Society-approved curricula emphasize extensive hands-on experience with state-of-the-art instrumentation and development of effective communication skills. Computational modeling is integrated throughout the curriculum as one mechanism to blend contemporary practice with traditional methods. A strong sense of community grows from personal attention and individualized mentoring from faculty and support from fellow students.

Students are therefore the central focus and an integral part of the Department, working side-by-side with faculty who are enthusiastically committed to the teacher-scholar model. Faculty strive to be nationally recognized in their areas of specialization by working in research partnerships with students as colleagues. Most departmental majors complete original research projects, many of which culminate in presentation or publication at the national level. Marist Chemistry graduates are superbly prepared to be critically thinking, ethical scientist-citizens, with a balanced understanding of theory and method. Such graduates will be successful regardless of the paths they follow after leaving Marist College.

In pursuit of the philosophy of “Science without Boundaries,” the Department actively seeks to collaborate with students and faculty from other disciplines. The Department cherishes its role in training students majoring in the other sciences, because the physical sciences underlie processes integral to the life sciences and health professions. The Department recognizes its responsibility to contribute to the understanding and thinking of non-science majors via its involvement in the Core/Liberal Studies program. Faculty and students also use their expertise to provide service to the College and the Mid-Hudson Valley.

Degree Options in Chemistry

In order to provide a versatile set of programs for students while maintaining the high quality of the Marist Chemistry experience, we offer four degree options. The B.S. Chemistry and B.S. Chemistry-Biochemistry curricula accommodate those students seeking certification from the American Chemical Society as they prepare for careers as professional scientists in the chemical, pharmaceutical, or molecular industries, or as health-care practitioners. These curricula are recommended for those anticipating graduate-level (M.S. or Ph.D.) study in chemistry, biochemistry, or biomedical sciences. The more flexible B.A. Chemistry and B.A. Biochemistry curricula are designed to have significant quantities of free electives, allowing students to pursue personal and professional interests in other areas such as, but not limited to, business, education, and computer science. The B.S. Chemistry degree is especially well suited for those seeking provisional certification to teach chemistry in secondary schools in New York State or for marketing and sales positions in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The B.A. Biochemistry degree, with proper choice of electives, may be used as preparation for students seeking a career in the health professions.

Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics

Mission:

Programs