Department of Chemistry and Physics
Faculty
Rich Gurney, Professor & Chair of the Chemistry and Physics Department
Shreya Bhattacharyya, Associate Teaching Professor, STEMM Education Program Director, and Clare Boothe Luce Professor
P. Jason White, Professor and Director of the Dual Degree Engineering Program
Joe Elias, Assistant Professor
Meghan Johnston, Associate Teaching Professor
Michael Jordan, Associate Professor of Practice
Michael Paul, Associate Teaching Professor
Cherie Ramirez, Associate Teaching Professor
Jennifer A. Roecklein-Canfield, Professor
Arpita Saha, Professor
Overview
Chemistry and physics lie at the foundation of modern science. Careers in these fields span the entire range of contemporary technologies. The majors in chemistry and physics provide training for students planning careers in the chemical and physical sciences and also for those whose interests lie in biology, medicine, veterinary, dental, pharmacy, materials science, chemistry management, secondary education, the environment and sustainability. Our program is built on a strong foundation of materials science, sustainability, green principles, and we instill these ethics throughout our curriculum and research.
Courses in chemistry and physics also provide a strong service to majors in Health & Exercise Science, Nursing, Nutrition, and Physical Therapy. More than half of the Simmons University undergraduate population will, at some stage of their degree program, take a course in the Department of Chemistry and Physics and the curriculum of the Department is designed to satisfy the diverse needs of all these students.
Each graduate of our Department will have completed an integrated, rigorous program, which includes foundational course work in chemistry/physics and in depth course work in chemistry/physics or chemistry/physics-related fields. Advanced coursework and educational activities outside the traditional classroom, such as independent research, provide students the opportunity to conduct individual research projects or participate as a member of a research team. Writing and defending their senior independent study thesis also further strengthens and better prepares our majors to enter not only graduate and professional schools but also directly into clinical and research related industries directly upon graduation.
Our innovative research-integration program brings students into genuine laboratory research projects in their courses beginning in the first semester of their first year. After declaring a major in our department, students work within a faculty research laboratory, where they carry out much of the rest of their laboratory and course work. Grants to Simmons have provided the department with instrumentation beyond the scope usually available at undergraduate colleges. The American Chemical Society (ACS) promotes excellence in chemistry education for undergraduate students through approval of our baccalaureate chemistry program. The ACS certifies that we offer our students “a broad based and rigorous chemistry education that provides students with the intellectual, experimental, and communication skills to participate effectively as scientific professionals.” At graduation, chemistry majors will have a set of fundamental competencies that are knowledge-based, performance/skills-based, and professional.
To enhance student skills, the department offers the opportunity to explore in depth instrument or technique training CHEM 150, participating in a research project CHEM 250, or designing and running a research project CHEM 350. These “Research Experience in STEM” designations appear on the transcript as a zero, one or two credit courses. Contact the Chair of the Department to learn more.
CHEM 150/PHYS 150 & CHEM 250/PHYS 250 are graded according to a Pass / Fail grading system
In addition to the Chemistry major approved by the American Chemical Society, the Biochemistry major, which has the option to be approved by the American Chemical Society, and the Physics major, the Department offers minors in Chemistry and Physics.
Departmental Honors in Chemistry and Physics
The Department of Chemistry and Physics will grant Chemistry and Physics Departmental Honors to students graduating with majors within the Department who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or above and also earned an “Honors Thesis” designation. An “Honors Thesis” designation will be awarded to an exceptional senior thesis completed for Independent Study within the Department; earning an A on all three thesis work categories—work in the laboratory, written thesis document, and thesis defense.