Adopted 10/18/2004

The Department of Chemistry plays an active role in the fulfillment of the mission of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences and of the university.  The department contributes to the specific goals of the college and to the themes that will guide the future development of the university by emphasizing teaching, research, and applications of chemical knowledge.

The department is committed to excellence in teaching.  The undergraduate curriculum is designed to educate persons for assuming responsible positions in industry; for entry programs of advanced study in chemistry; for admission to professional schools of health-care, engineering and law; and for entering the fields of elementary and secondary teaching.  The chemistry curriculum also provides a foundation for students pursuing programs in allied health, biological sciences, agriculture and technology, and contributes to scientific literacy, public affairs, critical thinking skills and informed decision-making abilities of all students.  The department endeavors to utilize modern instructional technologies to facilitate student understanding of chemical concepts and their applications to real-world problems.

The graduate curriculum of the department is designed to develop advanced knowledge of chemical principles and to strengthen research and communication skills.  This curriculum provides graduates with an enhanced understanding and appreciation of applied chemistry and of multidisciplinary approaches to the solution of scientific problems.

The department is committed to research and scholarly activities as essential and integral parts of the educational process.  Faculty-student interactions provide meaningful research experiences for undergraduates and graduates in both basic and applied research.

The department is committed to public service through applications of chemical knowledge to the solution of societal problems, through contributions to economic development of the broader community, and through cooperative programs with academic units within CNAS and other institutions of higher education.