About Us
Students majoring in chemistry may prepare for a career in industry, teaching, or graduate study in chemistry, biochemistry, medicine/dentistry, or pharmaceuticals. The course offerings for the undergraduate degree are structured to give a broad but thorough grounding in the elements of chemistry. The chemistry curriculum should be fortified by a minor in physics, mathematics, or biological sciences.
Department research takes collaboration from a wide range of fields, including environmental chemistry. These research efforts enrich the curriculum through existing courses and independent study opportunities.
The Department of Chemistry is housed within the College of Arts and Sciences.
Chemistry Fact (Printable format)
Department news
- Rebecca Monterusso was chosen as Presidential Scholar for 2013
- Doctoral student David Sellers awarded NSF Fellowship (Additional information)
- David Huffman welcomed students visiting from Oakland Academy on May 2.
- Gus Guzinski published an article "Attack of the Cutworms" in the Spring 2012 (Vol. 67) issue of The Daylily Journal.
- Elke Schoffers published an article that describes organic ligands that were synthesized with the help of enzymes. Among the four co-authors are Lars Kohler, a 2011 Ph.D. graduate, and Erin Driscoll, a 2010 NSF-REU student, at WMU. Chirality, 2012, 24 (3), pp 245-251.
- Congratulations to graduate students Amr Mahmoud, Rathnayaka Madawala, and Benjamin Strong who received research and/or travel grants from the graduate college.
- Jacinta Mutambuki and Herb Fynewever have published an article "Comparing Chemistry Faculty Beliefs about Grading with Grading Practices" J. Chem. Educ., 2012, 89 (3), pp 326–334.
- Drs. Sherine Obare and Yirong Mo have been awarded College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Achievement Awards for 2012.
More Department News
Alumni News
- Dr. Hashem Akhavan-Tafti has been chosen as Distinguished Alumni Scholar.
- Robert J. Justice II (WMU PhD '10) Is now with Treatt USA where he oversees all technical aspects of the business: Quality, Regulatory, Product Development, and Food Safety. Treatt USA is a global leader in the production of citrus oils, as well as fruit & vegetable essences.
Technical Manager, Treatt USA
4900 Lakeland Commerce Parkway
Lakeland, FL U.S.A. 33805
Office 863-668-3310
Cell 863-669-7609
Robert.justice@treattusa.com
- Elizabeth S. Semkiw (WMU PhD '09) has accepted a position as Environmental Specialist with the Bureau of Environmental Epidemiology for the State of Missouri. In this role, she will be involved with a variety of projects focused on health risk assessment, including water pollution, contaminant migration, lead poisoning, and mercury in fish.
- A Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Dr. Brian A. Zeider, a 2010 WMU Alumnus was held on October 23rd, 2011. Dr. Zeider died suddenly on September 9, 2011 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Professor Emeritus Dean Cooke passed away on August 10, 2011.
- Piyadarsha Amaratunga has joined Forensic Fluids Laboratories in Kalamazoo. read more...
- In Memorium - Prof. John Chateauneuf died June 17, 2011 at the age of 54. Prof. Chateauneuf was hired at WMU as a Chemistry Professor in 1996.
- Clifford A Ferree, 2003 chemistry graduate, is an Analytical Laboratory Supervisor at Abbott Nutrition Supply Chain in Sturgis, Mich. Cliff was called to active duty weeks before graduation and spent approximately a year in Iraq, returning home in May of 2004.
- Toni Morcelle, 2001 chemistry graduate, was awarded the Erie Community College 2011 President's Recognition Award for Outstanding Technical Support. Ms. Morcelle is a Sr. Technical Assistant at ECC South Campus in Orchard Park, NY.
Emeriti
We appreciate and recognize our emeriti whose contributions to academia, the University, and the community have continued beyond retirement.
