Chemistry

Introduction & Overview 

Chemistry is often referred to as the central science. It joins together physics and mathematics, biology and medicine, and earth and environmental sciences. Chemistry is fundamental to our world. It plays a role in everyone's lives and touches almost every aspect of our existence in some way. Thus, studying chemistry is useful in preparing us for the real world.

While it is obviously important to have a chemistry background if you plan to teach chemistry or to work in the chemical industry, it is also useful for a career in a variety of other fields, including environmental science, biotechnology, medicine, pharmaceutical science, art conservation, forensic science, and patent law. Many students have found that having a chemistry background gives them a distinct advantage in professional programs. 

Prospective Chemistry majors should choose a Chemistry faculty member as an academic advisor as soon as possible in order to prepare an appropriate study plan. All Chemistry Majors are required to research a special chemical problem or topic by conducting an in-depth literature review and producing a thesis.  Chemistry majors in the Chemistry Honors Program are also expected to participate in a laboratory-based undergraduate research project.  Most will fulfill this requirement on campus with a full-time Chemistry faculty member. However, off-campus opportunities may also be available.

The Chemistry Department laboratories are equipped with an Agilent Technologies 7820A Gas Chromatograph, an Agilent Technologies 5975 series Mass Spectrometer, a Perkin Elmer Spectrum 100 FT-IR spectrometer, a Varian 920 Liquid Chromatograph, a Varian Cary 100 Bio UV-VIS spectrophotometer, two Barnstead / Turner SP-830 spectrophotometers, a PicoSpin-45 NMR spectrometer, and an Anasazi 60 MHz NMR spectrometer. The Department has computers available for computational chemistry and molecular modeling.


Degree

Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry 

Minor

Chemistry

Career Ideas

Food Chemist, Biochemist, Chemistry Professor, Art Conservation Scientist, Doctor, Dentist, Cosmetic Chemist, Environmental Engineer, Forensic Science Technician, Geologist, Hazardous Waste Manager, Nuclear Engineer, Pharmacist, Soil Scientist, and Toxicologist.

Program Director

Darlene Gandolfi, Department Chair, (914) 323-5475 (5332), Darlene.Gandolfi@mville.edu

Faculty and Staff

Full-Time Faculty

Darlene Gandolfi - Inorganic Chemistry

Meghan Johnston - Organic Chemistry

Sangamithra Chintapalli - Physical Chemistry

Adjunct Faculty

Naureen Shahid

Laboratory Manager

Jorge Cardenas