About the Department

Fall 2012: back: Mauricio Cafiero, Larryn Peterson, Jon Russ, David Jeter; front: Darlene Loprete, Dhammika Muesse, Roberto de la Salud Bea, Kim Brien, Loretta Jackson-Hayes.

Rhodes believes that the sciences, as well as the arts, are liberal, and that a science as diverse as chemistry offers an attractive focus for a liberal collegiate education as suitable for a farmer, a homemaker, or a public policy maker in the modern world as for a professional chemist. However, the majority of the department′s graduates enter careers more directly related to chemistry.

In recent years, graduates have typically followed one of three paths: employment in the chemical industry, research laboratories, or secondary-level teaching at the bachelors level; entry into such chemistry-related fields as medicine, dentistry, environmental science, toxicology, and patent law after further professional education; or entry into chemistry-related teaching and research at advanced levels after further graduate study.

Special Opportunities. Students majoring in chemistry are encouraged to consider becoming involved in the department′s research program either during the academic year or in the summer. Through cooperative arrangements, off-campus research opportunities are also available to selected students.

For those students who are interested in pursuing studies in engineering, Rhodes offers a Dual Degree Program in cooperation with Washington University in St. Louis. A student may complete the Rhodes requirements for the Dual Degree Program in three years at an accelerated pace (15-16 credit hours per semester). The student then applies to Washington University for admission to the engineering program there. After two years of intensive engineering study, the student receives two degrees, a Bachelor of Science from Rhodes and a Bachelor of Science from Washington University.

Interested students should contact the departmental chair for additional information.