Why Chemistry at Guilford?
Chemistry has emerged as the base of many interdisciplinary subjects such as biotechnology, materials science, molecular biology, and environmental science. Guilford Chemistry courses are designed for students to explore these interactions and actively build their knowledge in the classroom and lab. Chemistry students at all levels are encouraged to participate in research, through courses such as the Integrated Laboratory sequence, collaboration with faculty during the semester, or summer research experiences at Guilford or other institutions. Guilford Chemistry majors have pursued a variety of careers, including chemistry and biochemistry research, teaching, medicine, patent law, business, environmental science, forensic science, molecular biology, pharmacology, toxicology, materials science, geochemistry, and chemical physics.
A Student’s Perspective
So what makes Chemistry such a warm and fuzzy place?
Well it’s not the three hour long labs, which are fun and a great place to catch up on your lab partner’s love life or your homework, and I don’t even think it’s the classes, as informative as they are. It’s the environment.
The resources of the department are available to even the most flammable first year student. That includes the computers, the IR, the GC, the NMR, the HPLC, and all the other toys that chemists use to do that thing that they do so well.
In the Chemistry Student Study Areas, a.k.a. Frank 314 and 325, we even have all the comforts of home, provided all you have at home is a fridge, a microwave, a coffeemaker and all the Chemistry reference books you need to complete your labs and assignments. Hang around long enough and you can get your own space in Frank 304, the Chemistry Student Office.
Studying science at Guilford is a unique experience. It’s flexible–we currently have students studying everything from ionic liquids to peptide conformations to chemiluminesence to molecular dynamics. Guilford is a small dynamic school, small enough that you really get to know your professors.
So explore away!
(Original text by alumni Tajhia Whigham, B.S. Chemistry. Tajhia is currently a scientist in Pharmaceutical Development at GlaxoSmithKline in Research Triangle Park, N.C.)
