Lakeland College

About Chemistry

In its most basic sense, chemistry is the science of taking things apart and putting things together - at the atomic and molecular levels. But this rather short definition encompasses a huge field of study. Chemists explore the structure and properties of the atoms and molecules that make up our physical world. They also study the reactions that produce compounds and think up new and useful ways of producing such compounds. Whether creating stronger fibers or more effective medicines, they help to bring useful, new things into existence.

Chemistry courses at Lakeland provide a comprehensive knowledge of chemistry and chemical processes. As a natural science offering, chemistry teaches students ways of knowing about the world through detailed observation, testable hypotheses, and controlled experiments. As a liberal-arts program, it develops analytical and critical-thinking skills, as well as the ability to communicate clearly and directly.

Lakeland's chemistry program provides students with hands-on training in the laboratory and in the field, preparing students for careers ranging from laboratory researcher to classroom instructor, product developer to regulatory official, pharmaceutical representative to forensic scientist.

Students who major in Chemistry will be able to:

• understand and work with the central concepts of chemical reactions, including the thermodynamics, kinetics, syntheses, and mechanisms that produce those reactions;
• formulate and solve chemistry problems by applying the scientific method, particularly within a laboratory setting;
• write effective lab reports, which follow the forms and meet the expectations of scientific journals; and
• perform lab practices safely and professionally, employing up-to-date computer and instrumentation technology.