 Departmental Brochure
The major in chemistry, studied in the context of a liberal education at Fairfield University, offers you a comprehensive and balanced foundation in chemistry. You study with experienced faculty in small classes and have the benefit of their attention in the laboratories as well, since none of their teaching or lab supervision is delegated to graduate assistants. As a major, you are encouraged to undertake original research through independent study, in collaboration with faculty, or as an intern in academic, governmental, or industrial research. Fairfield's favorable location in an area of large corporate enterprises and many academic institutions provides abundant opportunities for such internships. The chemistry major and its optional concentration in biochemistry can prepare you well for medical studies, research careers, and a variety of other fields.
Course of Study
It is the mission of the department to provide a curriculum that ensures a comprehensive yet balanced exposure to the science of chemistry. Courses are provided for chemistry majors, for other physical science majors, for non-science majors, and for students planning study beyond the associate degree.
The curriculum, staff, and facilities of the department are approved by the American Chemical Society as meeting its standards for professional training in chemistry.
 The chemistry major provides the student with a very flexible background relative to career options. In addition to employment in the chemical industry, students are prepared for graduate study in chemistry, biochemistry, medicine, dentistry, environmental science, law, and business.
The bachelor of science in chemistry can be achieved by following either of two tracks: the traditional track or the biochemistry option track. The biochemistry option is not a new major, but a new sequence of courses leading to the B.S. in chemistry. The biochemistry option also carries American Chemical Society certification.
Bachelor of Science
Major in Chemistry - traditional track
To meet the major requirements, you will take four semesters of mathematics including calculus I, II and III and ordinary differential equations; general physics with lab; and the following chemistry courses:
 First Year
- General Inorganic Chemistry I and II
Sophomore Year
- Organic Chemistry I and II
- Chemical Analysis
Junior Year
- Physical Chemistry I and II
- Chemical Instrumentation
Senior Year
- Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Research
 Successful completion of the above courses satisfies the requirements for the B.S. degree with American Chemical Society certification.
Biochemistry Option
Recognizing the rapid and ongoing development of biochemistry, the chemistry department has organized a curriculum with a concentration in biochemistry. This program emphasizes biochemistry and the life sciences but still offers a broad base in other fields of chemistry, along with a basic knowledge of physics and mathematics.
The biochemistry option is of particular interest to premedical students and to students considering graduate study or employment in the biochemistry, life and health sciences, environmental science, or other related fields.
A separate brochure emphasizing the biochemistry option is available. We have initiated the process to have the Biochemistry Option evolve into a formal Biochemistry Major.
The full-time faculty members of the chemistry department and their research interests are as follows:
Matthew A. Kubasik
Office: Bannow Science Center 317
Ph.D., Cornell University
Physical chemistry, NMR spectroscopy, peptide structure, and dynamics
Jessica Davis
Ph.D., Yale University
Biochemistry and Medicinal Chemistry: development of small molecule inhibitors of  protein-protein interactions that lead to autoimmune disease
Amanda S. Harper-Leatherman
Ph.D., University of North Carolina
Analytical chemistry: electrochemistry, nanomaterials synthesis and
characterization, biofuel cells and biosensors
John Miecznikowski
Ph.D, Yale University
Inorganic Chemistry: Synthesis and Characterization of Organometallic and
Coordination Complexes, Catalysis, and Inorganic Modeling of Biological
Systems.
Edmond O'Connell
Ph.D., Yale University
Organic chemistry: photochemistry, reaction mechanisms
L. Kraig Steffen
Ph.D., University of Arizona
Organic chemistry: molecular modeling, organic electrochemistry
Gary H. Weddle
Ph.D., University of Delaware
Physical chemistry: gas phase kinetics, and energetics
Facilities
 The chemistry department is well equipped with modern instruments to help students gain experience in synthetic techniques, computer interfacing, structural elucidation, and quantitative chemical analysis. The department has increased the use of experiments that involve computer acquisition and data reduction techniques. Students are introduced to a variety of software programs including spreadsheets, data analysis, molecular modeling, quantum chemical calculations, instrumental simulation, and interactive tutorial programs.
Research and Internships
 As a chemistry student you are encouraged to take advantage of a number of opportunities to do original research. In addition to the formal research course offering in the chemistry department, you may participate in internships at industrial locations, National Science Foundation sponsored programs at other universities, and specific summer research fellowships such as Pfizer fellowships. Many of our students have taken part in all of these programs during the past several years.
Life After Fairfield
 With a broad educational background, our graduates can move in many directions, but their major gives them an orientation. A number have decided before graduation that they will enter medical or dental schools and others choose advanced study in chemistry. In the last few years, chemistry majors moving into medical or doctoral studies have won acceptances at such institutions as Harvard, Boston College, the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Pennsylvania, Villanova, Tufts, and the University of Connecticut. Others have chosen law, secondary school education, environmental science, or industry positions in research and development or sales and marketing.
Real World Education
 Most courses have a strong laboratory component. These labs are supervised by faculty members who are accustomed to working with frequently fewer than 15 students on average in upper-level courses. In such labs you have access to up-to-date equipment and learn such techniques as: high-field Fourier transform (FT) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy, ultra-violet visible spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, FT infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, and many others. This hands-on experience, bolstered by internships and the research project most undertake in the senior year, fully prepare you for graduate study or immediate employment.
Outcome Assessments
Visit www.fairfield.edu/chemistry to access the chemistry department's outcome assessment page. These assessments are written by our graduated chemistry majors and present some of the variety of careers available to a chemistry major. The chemistry department is often asked, "What can you do with a chemistry degree?" Our graduates present some of the answers.
 Profile
Michael Shinall
Chemistry major
"The Chemistry Department offers students many opportunities to participate in research projects and internships. Organic chemistry is a competitive field, but we have the advantage of having some great professors to support us. Dr. Edmond O'Connell knows everything you'll ever need to know about organic chemistry and teaches straight from the heart. The chemistry professors are very close with the students. I can talk to any of them. If I ever need anything, I just need to tell them I need a hand. The major is a lot of work, but it's very rewarding."
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Matthew Kubasik, department chair
Bannow 317
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT 06824-5195
Telephone: (203) 254-4000, ext. 2122
E-mail:
mkubasik@mail.fairfield.edu
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