Chemistry
If you are a curious person who wants to understand the world on the molecular level chemistry is for you! Chemistry often is referred to as the "Central Science" because it intersects with other disciplines such as mathematics, physics, biology, pharmacology, and medicine.
Within chemistry itself there are several sub-disciplines. Physical chemists seek to explain why molecules behave the way they do, analytical chemists strive to learn new ways to purify samples and perform careful measurements, synthetic chemists make new compounds or discover less expensive ways to synthesize important ones (like pharmaceuticals or catalysts), and biochemists learn about the workings of proteins and enzymes or the manipulation of DNA.
The overall goal of the Chemistry Department at EIU is to provide students with an excellent foundation in chemistry, encompassing both theoretical concepts and practical applications, and to prepare them for the next step in their chosen career paths.
Some of our graduates move immediately into jobs in private industry, government laboratories, or teaching in high schools. Others elect to continue their chemical education in graduate school or enroll in pharmacy, medical, dental, or other professional schools. Both undergraduate and graduate programs (M.S.) are offered through the department. Check us out!
