In one of the best-equipped undergraduate laboratory facilities in the country, RMC chemistry majors learn by doing in an apprentice-style lab environment where students and professors research together. Courses are rich in guided inquiry, group problem-solving and molecular modeling, with opportunities for cutting-edge, original research beginning as soon as freshman year. Our program is accredited by the American Chemical Society, and Randolph-Macon chemistry graduates are well-prepared to pursue graduate school and careers in a wide range of fields including healthcare, forensic science, education, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical research.
Major/Minor Chemistry
Chemistry
up close In and Beyond the Classroom
hands-on research
Randolph-Macon’s chemistry department takes pride in providing hands-on research and instrumentation learning opportunities for students—through classwork, summer fellowships, and year-round research. Unlike other programs where learning is largely theoretical, RMC chemistry majors gain fluency with all available laboratory instruments by graduation. Students and faculty are currently conducting research in the areas of:
- organometallic and inorganic chemistry
- polymer science
- forensic science and analytical chemistry
- organic chemistry
- environmental chemistry
- physical chemistry
- biochemistry
- nanotechnology and materials science
Facilities
Featuring 7 teaching laboratories, 5 research laboratories, 2 multimedia classrooms, and additional rooms for housing instrumentation, Randolph-Macon is among the best-equipped chemistry departments in the country because of the quantity and quality of instruments, and the low student-to-instrument ratio. As an RMC chemistry major, you are trained to use and optimize each of these instruments through laboratory courses and your own original research projects, providing you with fundamental, marketable skills for future careers and graduate studies. Randolph-Macon labs are equipped with:
- 7 Agilent Cary 8454 UV Visible Diode-array systems
- Agilent 1200 HPLC
- Agilent 6850 GC/5975 MS system
- JEOL 400 MHz NMR Spectrometer
- JEOL 500 MHz NMR Spectrometer
- Jobin Yvon Horiba Fluorimeter
- Agilent 4200 MP-AES
- Bruker single crystal x-ray
high-impact internships
Chemistry majors gain valuable skills directly in the field as undergraduates. RMC students recently interned at:
- FBI Academy
- WestRock
- New Market
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Global Education
In the Chemistry of Winemaking (CHEM 160) travel course, students journey to Australia and New Zealand to get a first-hand look at wine classification systems, and develop an understanding of the grape plant, its variety, and taxonomy. Learn the chemical mechanisms behind the fermentation of natural substances to produce ethanol, as well as the analytical instrumentation used in the quality control, verification, and identification of wines from around the world. As part of this immersive course, you’ll tour wineries and wine laboratories; visit research university departments of enology and viticulture; and get hands-on experience with winemaking.
Scholarships
Several scholarship opportunities are available for incoming freshmen and current students who have already declared chemistry as a major. The Jackson Fellowships are awarded to encourage promising chemistry, biology, and pre-med students. The scholarships:
- range from $2,000 to $5,000
- are awarded in addition to any other financial aid and
- can be renewed for up to four years.
For more information, contact Dr. Serge Schreiner at sschrein@rmc.edu.
ADVISING AND MENTORSHIP
The legacy of personalized support from faculty in the chemistry department is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that three of its professors are alumnae of the program who returned to teach at RMC. One-on-one mentorship runs through the entire chemistry curriculum, from support of original research to career and graduate school advising. Additional advising is also available through the EDGE Career Center for pre-health students.
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90%of RMC chemistry majors who complete a SURF research project go onto professional school
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#1producer of women graduates earning doctorates in chemistry in the country
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2nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers are available for chemistry student use
CHEMISTRY IN FULL Courses You Won’t Want to Miss
(A very small sample)
CHEM 125
CHEMISTRY AND CRIME: FROM SHERLOCK HOLMES TO TODAY’S COURTROOM
Extensively analyze case studies to understand the role of the forensic scientist in detecting and solving crimes. Learn the methods and techniques used in crime detection including microscopy; toxicology; serology; fingerprinting; document and voice examination; and arson and explosives investigation.
CHEM 305
CHEMISTRY IN EARTH SYSTEMS
Investigate environmental chemistry topics from an earth systems science perspective focusing on the atmosphere and hydrosphere. Learn the concepts of earth systems science including box modeling, reservoirs, and element cycling. Using environmental data analysis and modeling, examine climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, and pollution.
CHEM 402
MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
Study the chemical structures of drugs and their direct influence on pharmacological activity. Gain an understanding of the structural features of drugs that cause them to produce various biological responses. This basic understanding supports further study in medicine, dentistry, biochemistry, or pharmaceutical chemistry.
Opportunities Worth Grabbing
Popular activities and programs among chemistry majors
chemistry club
Student-run, official affiliated chapter of the American Chemical Society, one of the world’s largest scientific organizations.
Phi Lambda Upsilon
Randolph-Macon’s chapter of the chemistry honorary society
pre-health society
A student-run group that brings together students and alums to learn more about medical career options, the application process for professional schools, and opportunities to gain medical experience.
From Here To What you can do with a Chemistry degree from RMC.
Kate Haywood ’20
Medical Student
University of South Carolina School of Medicine
“As a student at RMC, I was given a lot of individualized attention from professors and other career mentors who helped me both prepare academically in the classroom for the rigors of medical school as well as connected me with research opportunities and internships. The pre-med advising program was incredibly helpful as a first generation medical applicant and college attendee who was unfamiliar with the process and requirements for medical school.”
Stephanie McClements ’10
VP of Business Development
LanthaSensors
Ian Stewart ’12
Sr. Research and Development Chemist
Afton Chemical Corporation
PJ Patel ’19
Medical Student
University of Virginia Medical School
Nate brown ’22
Scientist
Naval Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
ana leal ’22
Doctoral Candidate
Northwestern University
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