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Chemistry

"The students feel very connected to each other--and to the faculty." Serge Schreiner, Chemistry Chair

Chemistry

Where can a chemistry major take you? R-MC graduates pursue careers in fields from health care to forensic science, biotechnology to pharmaceutical research.

Undergraduate options: All chemistry majors specialize by choosing an area of emphasis. Pre-med students, students intending to pursue an advanced degree in biochemistry, or those planning to attend dental or veterinary school normally choose the interdisciplinary focus in biochemistry. If you are interested in a career in a state or federal crime lab or an advanced degree in criminalistics, the department offers an emphasis in forensic science. The research emphasis provides a strong preparation for graduate studies in chemistry. Students may also choose the general emphasis option, and those interested in teaching can select a program of study, including an education minor, for Virginia certification to teach chemistry at the secondary education level. For particularly focused students, a three-year BS degree option is also available.

Hands-on learning: Science majors are strongly encouraged to participate in research projects, internships, or independent study, and every major completes a senior-year capstone project. Research isn't just a classroom exercise either; chemistry students present their work at events such as the college's Research Day as well as at professional conferences. And there are other opportunities beyond the classroom; pre-med chemistry major Zach Sherrod '13, who is minoring in Spanish, took part in a J-term Conversational Spanish class where he and his classmates participated in an outreach program assisting elderly citizens in the Hispanic community. 

Pre-med opportunities: Qualified pre-med students can take advantage of the Early Selection partnership with George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, the Preferred Applicant Track agreement with the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, or the BS/MD joint degree program with Eastern Medical College.

Graduate studies: MD, PhD or other advanced degree in your future? R-MC graduates are accepted at leading universities such as MIT, Georgetown, Medical College of Virginia, Johns Hopkins, Duke, University of Virginia, Tulane, and UNC-Chapel Hill.

Professional recognition: The Randolph-Macon chemistry major is approved by the American Chemical Society.

"Randolph-Macon opens up a world of opportunities..." Stephany Garcia '10 spent the summer of 2009 conducting research in conjunction with R-MC's Schapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. This program was established to provide students with a chance to do 10 weeks of full-time, original research during the summer months. With the guidance of their professors, SURF students conduct research in across-the-board subjects, from mathematics to chemistry to film studies. Garcia, who hails from Cali, Colombia, was an economics/business and chemistry major who worked closely with R-MC Professor Serge Schreiner (chemistry). Garcia began working on her project in February of 2009; it focused on the development of iridium and rhodium catalysts. The ultimate goal of her project was to find a catalyst that is capable of converting carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide in the presence of hydrogen to synthetic fuels such as methanol or methane. The project can be looked at as a way to find alternate energy sources. Garcia was also very involved in the R-MC community. She played for the women's soccer team for two years and worked as a tutor in the Higgins Academic Center (HAC). She was also a member of the Women Athletes Outreach program, a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and a student worker in the admissions office.