Department of Chemistry 

Website: https://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/arts-sciences/departments/chemistry/index.html

Faculty

Professor Shaun Schmidt, Chair, PhD
Professor Seid Adem, PhD
Professor Sam Leung, PhD
Associate Professor Holly O'Neill, MS
Assistant Professor Allan Ayella, PhD
Assistant Professor Hoang Long Nguyen, PhD

Vision

Washburn Chemistry Department strives to create a supportive, diverse, and inclusive environment to promote life-long learning, to develop analytical and critical thinking skills, and to grow the body of knowledge for our students, faculty, and community.

Mission

Consistent with the mission of the University and the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Chemistry is committed to:

• Provide a broad spectrum of undergraduate students with a supportive environment in which to develop the necessary understanding of chemical principles, and analytical and critical thinking skills,
• Engage in scientific research,
• Serve the scientific and local communities.

Student Learning Outcomes

Chemistry majors at Washburn University, upon graduation, will be proficient in:

• Applying fundamental chemical principles, models, and theories;
• Safely conducting empirical labs, implementing calculations and computational methods, and evaluating data;
• Evaluating and delivering oral and written scientific communications;
• Practicing inclusive collaboration, ethics, and professionalism.

Additional Requirements

Additional Requirements for all Chemistry Bachelor Degrees

Research (CH 390 Undergraduate Chemical Research) must be initiated at least one semester prior to the semester of graduation. A written report of research or internship is required of all majors. An oral presentation of CH 390 Undergraduate Chemical Research results is required of all BS majors.

Required Natural Science Concentration

All Bachelor of Science degrees include a required 30-hour natural science concentration, which includes courses chosen from departments in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Division, other than the student’s major department. At least 15 of these hours must be in one department. The 30 hours must be approved by the student’s major department chairperson.

Natural Sciences Concentration courses for BS degrees offered by the Department of Chemistry are limited to these courses: 

• Biology: BI 192 General Cellular Biology and courses with BI 192 or higher as prerequisite;
• Computer Information Sciences: CM 111 Introduction to Structured Programming or courses with CM 111 or higher as a prerequisite;
• Mathematics: MA 116 College Algebra and courses with MA 116 or higher as a prerequisite;
• Physics: PS 281 General Physics I or above for the ACS certified major, or PS 261 College Physics I or PS 281 General Physics I and above for the non-certified major.

Departmental Honors

Students are eligible to receive departmental honor upon graduation if they fulfill the minimum requirements:

• A grade point average of 3.5 in the major, including a 3.5 in upper division work in the major.
• Successful completion of research with presentation or internship in Chemistry.
• Service to the Department, or to the community relevant to the Chemistry major.
• The recommendation of the Department.

Programs

Course Offerings