杜肯大学

The Chemistry and Biochemistry program provides students with a fundamental background in chemistry and an understanding of the relationship of chemistry to other sciences and disciplines. Elective courses and the opportunity for a high quality undergraduate research experience enable our majors to develop interests in a specialized area of chemistry, such as analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, and biochemistry.

Because of the fundamental nature of chemistry as a science, numerous opportunities for advanced study, as well as employment, are open to chemistry and biochemistry majors. A large percentage of students elect to continue their study in graduate programs in chemistry and related fields. Chemists and biochemists provide a core of personnel in pure and applied research, technical sales, technical libraries, management positions in the chemical and related industries, the space industry, education, the environmental sciences and the health professions, such as medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine. The major in Biochemistry centers around the core of basic chemistry courses while also providing advanced courses in biochemistry and electives in biology.

Since research is the essence of science, all chemistry and biochemistry majors are encouraged to engage in undergraduate research under the direction of a faculty mentor, enabling each student to attain both breadth and excellence in their major. The Department promotes a research-based Honors Thesis program to encourage undergraduate scholarship, culminating in the preparation and defense of a high-quality senior thesis. Students are expected to perform extensive high-quality laboratory-based research and are held to rigorous standards of excellence. Two junior and two senior students from the Honors program are selected each year to receive the John V. Crable Summer Undergraduate Fellowship that supports their summer research, travel to a professional conference, and preparation of their thesis. One junior and one senior student from the Honors program are also designated each year as the Frank and Patsy Deverse Scholar. The students will receive scholarship, research and travel support. Students performing research in their junior year have the opportunity to attend the national meeting of the American Chemical Society.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Demonstrate knowledge of chemical, biochemical, and environmental principles
• Communicate scientific outcomes effectively through oral and written methods
• Apply chemical knowledge to solving original research problems
• Uphold honesty and integrity in science
• Promote the use of established safety practices in all laboratory work