Welcome Letter from the Department Chair

On behalf of the faculty and staff of the Department of Chemistry, I would like to welcome you to our website.

With a history spanning over 70 years, the chemistry department provides a rigorous program for undergraduate and master’s level students. We have several degree options including the bachelor of science in chemistry (ACS certified), bachelor of science in chemistry with biochemistry option, a combined bachelors/masters of science, and the masters of science degree. A new undergraduate degree in biochemistry has been approved and will begin in August 2006. We also support the studies of students majoring in the life-sciences and engineering by offering core chemistry courses for both science and non-science majors. Our program prepares students for a variety of challenging and rewarding careers. Many of our graduates complete advanced degrees, enroll in medical or dental school, or enter professional careers well prepared for the challenges they face in science and technology.

We encourage all undergraduates to participate in undergraduate research. Our faculty actively conduct research in diverse areas such as nanotechnology, environmental chemistry, natural product synthesis, catalysis, and computational chemistry. We recognize that undergraduate research provides a unique opportunity to work closely alongside a faculty mentor gaining an experience that extends far beyond typical classroom learning.

Villanova’s liberal arts tradition leads to an atmosphere of responsible learning for a select group of students who will be called to intellectual, moral, and professional leadership in the future. The Villanova Chemistry Department strives to foster intellectual curiosity through our courses and student research opportunities in keeping with our Augustinian tradition. We strive to instill the fundamentals of critical insight, mature judgment, and independent thinking in students, and to awaken in our students a sense of the importance of values and the moral responsibility of working for the betterment of our society.

Choosing a school and education program is a very important decision, and we invite you to examine Villanova’s education and research opportunities in chemistry. This website provides information about our department, its facilities, student opportunities and our chemistry faculty and their research. Finally, we hope that you will join the extensive list of successful graduates from the Villanova Chemistry Department.

Thanks for your interest in our department and enjoy your visit!

Sincerely,

W. Scott Kassel
Department Chair