“I have learned important professional skills, along with experiences and opportunities to learn more about chemistry and other sciences.”
The Chemistry Program at Castleton offers an understanding of the properties of matter and the ways in which matter interacts, combines, and changes. As a chemistry major, you will delve into the preparation and properties of plastics, pharmaceuticals, petroleum products, and other synthetics.
It is inherently interdisciplinary in nature, with connections to the Biology, Geology, Physics, and Mathematics. From compound identification to synthesis and purification skills to analyzing the composition of complex environmental samples, students acquire and practice the fundamental skills required in the field of chemistry.
You will interact closely with faculty in the classroom and laboratory, at conferences, and on research projects. Experiential learning is a valued aspect of the major, with most courses including a laboratory component.
Chemistry majors are encouraged to participate in either internships or independent research in their field of study during their time at Castleton.
Our faculty have diverse research interests. Some of this research is funded externally through grants awarded to our faculty where students have the opportunity to work intensively with faculty over the summer months and get paid a stipend.
Students wishing to pursue graduate school are strongly encouraged to work with faculty on independent projects. Some of the recent student research related to Chemistry include:
Nearly all of our Chemistry students that participate in research present their work at the Annual Castleton Scholars Celebration and at various regional and national conferences.
Chemistry graduates pursue their lives and careers with a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the natural world.
Our graduates navigate from Castleton to a wide range of careers, including:
The Chemistry program also provides excellent preparation for further study in a variety of fields including organic chemistry, materials science, pharmacology, medicine, and numerous other possibilities. Recent graduates have gone on to attend graduate school to earn a Master’s and/or Doctoral degree, entered medical school.
All graduates in the Chemistry program that earn a GPA of 2.75 or higher (and meet all minimum requirements of the agreement) are guaranteed admission and discounted tuition to the Norwich University Master of Civil Engineering program (including Environmental/Water Resources Engineering).