Chemistry
Department
The Faculty
The chemistry faculty holds doctorates from leading institutions and possesses a collective expertise that spans all subdisciplines within chemistry. Their research interests include chitin biochemistry, laser spectroscopy, nanomaterials, and environmental analysis.
About the Major
Chemistry seeks to understand the composition, structure, properties, and reactivity of substances in terms of their basic building blocks: atoms and molecules. The new research thrusts of the 21st century—molecular genetics and nanotechnology—have made chemistry even more central to the study of all the sciences. The quintessential image of the chemist staring intently at test tubes no longer defines the modern practice of chemistry. The 21st-century chemist uses lasers to monitor ultrafast reactions, computers to design new drugs, microscopy to directly visualize atoms, high-resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance to determine complex molecular structures, and a variety of instruments to separate and identify components of complex mixtures.
The Chemistry Department at Centenary has kept abreast of these changes by adding over $750,000 in equipment to our instrument holdings during the last eight years and by integrating instrumental methods throughout our curriculum, including our introductory courses. We have adopted the discovery-based mode of laboratory teaching, a method that models the scientific research process. Our students receive much practical experience by participation in research projects with our faculty either at the College or in collaboration with other institutions, such as the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Many present their findings at the national American Chemical Society meeting each spring. The Shreveport area also provides internship opportunities in forensic chemistry, petroleum chemistry, and environmental monitoring.
Career Opportunities
Upon graduation, many of our chemistry majors pursue graduate work in chemistry or related areas at the nation’s top programs (Johns Hopkins, Rice, Vanderbilt). For example, one of our recent graduates has completed her doctoral program under the direction of a Nobel Laureate at Rice University. Many Centenary chemistry graduates enter medical school or other health-related professional programs. Others have found rewarding careers in industrial and environmental laboratories, high school classrooms, and even an environmental law firm.
