Chemistry

at Saint Francis University

  • Chemistry Zovinka
    Dr. Zovinka and two students working at a research lab in the new science center.

    Chemistry: Our Team Approach

    Collaboration is the heart of our chemistry program. Our teaching philosophy is to foster a colleague relationship between you and our faculty. For example, classroom lectures are active learning environments where you work directly with faculty on problem solving skills. You will also partner with faculty on undergraduate research opportunities, lab teaching assistantships, and service projects.

    To succeed in chemistry, be ready to work hard and develop an aptitude for critical thinking and problem solving. But don’t worry. It’s not all work and no play. Our chemistry majors enjoy a dedicated hang-out area and spend lots of time having fun and working on projects with faculty members in this close-knit department. The brand-new science center has been designed with the student/faculty coloration in mind with dedicated research space and an awesome student study zone

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    ROCK (Rural Outreach Chemistry for Kids)

    Click here to see video of ROCK in action

    Outreach opportunities are available to practice new skills while helping others through Rural Outreach Chemistry for Kids (ROCK) and Southern Alleghenies Learn and Serve Alliance. The ROCK program conducted over 207 outreach events reaching 4,500 regional K-12 students in 2013-2014.

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    Undergraduate Research

    Undergraduate research is a key component in the chemistry program at SFU.

    Students can start doing undergraduate research as early as their freshman year. The chemistry department is currently working on a 5-year NSF STEP grant with the environmental engineering and mathematics departments. Research students are working in collabrative teams between the three departments to better understand environmental chemistry. Specifically, projects are focusing on a local problem involving acid mine drainage from regional abandoned coal mines.

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    Individual attention

    One-on-one instruction from our faculty.

    Students often work directly with our faculty to further their knowledge through actively participating in research projects and presentations. Dr. Rose Clark is working with three new research students James (Jr.), Caleb (So.), and Beka (So.)to show them how to use the GC/MS.

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    Small Class Sizes

    12:1 upper-class student-to-teacher ratio

    Our small class/laboratory sections in our new Science Center allow for close interaction with faculty. Dr. Michele Hargittai is teaching a special topics course on advanced organic mechanisms.

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