Faculty Research Programs
Chemistry department faculty engage in a variety of research efforts and routinely involve Muhlenberg students in their projects. Research in the Chemistry Department is done with the intent to publish interesting results and observations to the scientific community. These publications frequently have Muhlenberg student co-authors.
Analytical Chemistry
Faculty: Ingersoll
Analytical Chemistry is concerned with making measurements! Analytical chemists want to find the best new ways to increase accuracy, selectivity, sensitivity, and reproducibility in detection. Analytical chemistry includes bioanalysis, electrochemistry, mass spectrometry, microscale systems, environmental analysis, separations, and spectroscopy.
Biochemistry
Faculty: Colabroy, Hark (Biology)
Biochemistry is where chemistry, molecular and cell biology meet. Biochemists seeks to understand the mechanisms behind biological phenomena. Biochemistry considers the structure, function, and regulation of biologically active molecules; gene structure and expression; biochemical mechanisms; protein biosynthesis; protein folding; and so much more!
Environmental Chemistry
Faculty: Kelsey, Ingersoll
Environmental chemistry examines the chemistry of soil, air, and water, the interactions and cycles of elements between them, and the pollutants that can adversely affect these important resources. An environmental chemist could track the movement of pollutants through soil and seek to understand the effects of their chemistry on the environment.
Inorganic Chemistry
Faculty: Keane
Inorganic chemistry is the study of metal based compounds, their structures and reactions. Metal based compounds are often catalysts and can be found in bioinorganic chemistry and organometallic chemistry.
Organic Chemistry
Faculty: Keane, Young
Organic chemistry is concerned with the structure, function and reactions of carbon based compounds. Organic chemists may study new reactions of organic molecules or perhaps take on the role of architect and assemble a compound using a series of consecutive chemical reactions.
Physical Chemistry
Faculty: Anderson, Sparks
Physical chemistry is concerned with the study of molecules at their most fundamental level. Physical chemists think about dynamics, spectroscopy, molecular structure, bonding, quantum chemistry, and the structure and properties of surfaces and interfaces. Physical chemists are often found working with lasers...
