Academic Program

Chemistry is an experimental discipline that uses applied principles and new skills to solve scientific problems. Through foundational courses and collaborative research with professors, students gain an understanding of chemical processes and acquire the tools to apply that knowledge in innovative ways. Faculty-mentored student projects emphasize modern techniques and instrumentation and use Colby’s research-grade facilities and laboratories. Recent research has included the synthesis of supramolecular structures, the detection of superoxide in natural water sources, and the molecular basis of cancer therapy.

The department offers concentrations in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology/biochemistry, and environmental science, giving students the opportunity to focus on a particular area of interest.

This site provides access to course materials and other resources that the Department of Chemistry wishes to make available to interested students and faculty. The Chemistry Department is located in Keyes Hall and contains state-of-the-art instrumentation, multimedia-equipped classrooms, modern laboratories for teaching and research, and the Paul J. Schupf Scientific Computing Center.

The mission of the Colby Chemistry Department is to develop students who have the skills to address diverse global challenges. Through a foundation of factual chemical knowledge, our majors will possess the intellectual skills to synthesize material to solve a wide range of problems. The Department promotes effective oral and written communication, the ability to work as a member of a team, ethical scientific conduct, leadership, and life-long learning. Research plays an integral role in the curriculum through faculty-mentored student projects that use modern techniques and instrumentation to develop students’ abilities to make meaningful innovations in the field. Chemistry majors are well prepared for employment in chemistry or entry into graduate and professional programs. Students have access to a wide range of instruments for course work and research projects under supervision of a faculty that includes specialists in analytical, environmental, inorganic, organic, physical, and biochemistry. Most students continue in chemistry-related fields, often attending graduate school in chemistry, biochemistry, or medicine, or pursuing careers in industrial research or the biomedical sciences. Other career choices in recent years have included patent law, chemical engineering, environmental studies, computer sciences, and molecular biology.