Chemistry Major
At Washington College, we have an innovative curriculum that reflects modern, interdisciplinary
science and nurtures excellent scientists. Our organic-first curriculum is accredited
by the American Chemical Society and Maryland Higher Education Commission. We introduce
our students to fundamental concepts in chemistry through the lens of organic and
biochemistry, which allows us to introduce material thematically, gives students the
foundation needed for advanced study across scientific fields, and better reflects
modern chemistry as an interdisciplinary science. We integrate the principles of green
chemistry into our curriculum, training a new generation of chemists who are especially
mindful of their environmental impact.
From your very first course in the chemistry major, you gain experience collecting
and analyzing data from our research grade instrumentation. By your senior year, you
will be an independent scientist working under the mentorship of a faculty member
on your Senior Capstone Experience (SCE) project, for which you might explore a topic
in green chemistry, environmental chemistry, inorganic chemistry, or biochemistry.
There are two tracks for chemistry majors at Washington; students can graduate with
an American Chemical Society (ACS) Certified Degree or a non-certified degree.
Chemistry Tracks
The ACS track requires a certain number of hours in the lab and will result in the completion of a lab-based SCE. Students with an interest in attending graduate school in chemistry or intenting to work in industrial or governmental laboratories after graduation are encouraged to complete the ACS-certified degree.
The Non-ACS track is an excellent option for students with interdisciplinary interests, especially those interested in pursuing careers in teaching, engineering, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or law. Course flexibility allows you to double major, add minors, or just take courses in other departments that interest you.
Course flexibility also makes it possible to complete on- or off-campus internships
or study abroad for one semester. To learn more about our course offerings, visit
our course catalog.
Department of Chemistry
Leslie Sherman
W. Alton Jones Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Chair of the Chemistry Department- 800-422-1782, ext. 7497
- lsherman2@washcoll.edu
- Toll Science S215
Kayla Cash '23
Pharmacy Doctoral Studies at University of Florida • Gainsville, Florida“With HOSA, we catered to all health professions so it was nice to learn about fields outside pharmacy and medicine. Being president of the organization, I learned some more organizational, structural things: hosting meetings, communicating with faculty and external speakers for events. I am definitely more comfortable talking to higher-ups because of it.”
Department of Chemistry
Leslie Sherman
W. Alton Jones Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Chair of the Chemistry Department- 800-422-1782, ext. 7497
- lsherman2@washcoll.edu
- Toll Science S215
Explore Our Major
Student Opportunities
Conduct your own research, pursue an internship with a local or regional organization, help faculty with their current project, and check out what's possible around campus.
Outcomes
Washington College students go on to do incredible and interesting things in vast chemistry-related fields. See common pathways, potential careers, and what our alum are currently up to here.
Faculty Expertise
Get to know our faculty outside the classroom through research opportunities in the lab. Faculty also serve as mentors and advsiors during your academic tenure and as you complete your SCE.