Chemistry and Biochemistry
In the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Elizabethtown College, we learn by doing. We engage students in understanding how chemistry impacts and shapes the world around us and offer a supportive learning environment that advances our students' career and life goals.
Explore Your Interests
We know that your areas of interest are far and wide. We offer two departmental majors, Chemistry and Biochemistry, with concentrations in Forensic Chemistry, Chemistry Secondary Education, Chemistry Management, and Chemical Physics. The Chemistry and Biochemistry majors are accredited by the American Chemical Society, and both majors serve as great foundational bases for students on a Pre-Medicine, Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Pre-Pharmacy or Pre-Dental track.
Real World Learning
Your course work will include interactive classroom experiences, lab classes and hands-on research opportunities. Don your lab coat and protective eyewear and participate in experiments in our up-to-date lab and research facilities in Musser Hall, part of the Masters Center for Science, Mathematics and Engineering. We teach use of lab instrumentation very early in our curriculum. Students get exposed to and actually use instrumentation in their first year, thus giving our students a competitive edge when applying for internships and summer research experiences.
Research and experiential learning are the cornerstones of the discipline. You can begin independent research with a faculty mentor as early as your first year! Fundamental research is incorporated into our teaching labs and carried out with research mentors during the summer and academic semesters. All Chemistry and Biochemistry majors complete an independent research experience during their senior year. Though it is not required for Chemical Education and Chemical Management majors, most student pursuing these concentrations elect to conduct research nonetheless which makes them even more marketable once they head out into the work force
From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
E-town hosts chemists' convention
Undergrads attend from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware
Elizabethtown College Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry hosted the 82nd Intercollegiate Student Chemists Convention (ISCC) this spring. Almost 100 attendees listened to the keynote address by Tulane University’s Lawrence R. Pratt, a world-renowned expert in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics and recipient of the 2018 Joel Henry Hildebrand Award in the Theoretical and Experimental Chemistry of Liquids. The ISCC is the oldest continuous meeting of its kind in the United States. Judges evaluated the work of junior and senior chemistry majors from 15 undergraduate institutions in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware as they delivered 35 oral research seminars in five areas of chemistry. Convention participation is viewed as an important stepping-stone toward attending graduate school or working in a research lab.
“This convention provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to experience the excitement of presenting a talk of their research to other students and faculty who are interested. The stress level is not as high as it would be at a national or regional meeting; just the right level for an undergraduate." -- Gary Hoffman
From the Department of Chemistry
Exotic landscapes and unique lifestyle catch the eye of E-town student
Haley Young ’19 studies abroad in Thailand.
For junior Elizabethtown student Haley Young the idea of experiencing a different culture was just the tip of the iceberg, so when the study abroad program to Thailand caught her eye it would prove to be a valuable experience. For one semester Young studied in Bangkok at Mahidol University—known as the best school in Thailand. While studying biochemistry, Thai language, mass communications and developmental psychology, the chemistry major had the opportunity to travel and experience the vast culture of her host country. Young became immersed in the pleasant and approachable people as she met with them, dined with them and spoke with them.
“I can look back on this semester and remember how awesome it was to meet other foreign and Thai students. I experienced a different type of teaching, became more independent and am better at problem solving.”
From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Lauren Eltringham welcomed to E-town as transfer student
Conducted Analytical research with DEAN of Faculty
Lauren Eltringham started her undergraduate career as a general chemistry major at a large university with thousands of students. In January 2011, after realizing the school wasn’t for her and figuring out she wanted to study chemistry and education, she transferred to E-town. As a chemistry major with a concentration in secondary education, Eltringham conducted analytical lab research alongside Kristi Kneas, dean for academic affairs and faculty development and professor of chemistry. Eltringham also spent a semester at the University of Gloucestershire in Cheltenham, England, for an experience she described as “life-changing.” Eltringham, who went on to earn her graduate degree at Lebanon Valley College, said Kneas was immensely helpful in negotiating a study-abroad opportunity while completing a rigorous major.
“When I visited E-town, I was quickly welcomed by every faculty member and student that I met.”
From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Kate Glass ’16, biochemistry major
Eurofins internship leads to full-time position
In the summer between her junior and senior year, Kate Glass was an intern in the Extractables and Leachables Department of Eurofins Lancaster Labs, where her focus was the study of exposing medical devices and other pharmaceutical devices and containers to various solvents and drug products at different temperatures and environments. Glass now works fulltime at Eurofins, conducting inorganic analyses and training to conduct non-volatile analyses. The new chemistry laboratory sciences major is valuable, she said, in teaching students the foundation of how the industry works and how to document correctly and accurately.
“Before I even interned at Eurofins, I already knew how a gas chromatographer or a mass spectrometer worked because I had analytical chemistry my sophomore year and took an advanced instrumentation class.”
Faculty Members Who Care
Our dedicated faculty members believe in relationship-centered learning. From day one, they provide comprehensive advising, mentoring and exploration opportunities to help you determine the best career path and achieve your career ambitions. You will be challenged, but also supported. Mentoring sessions, career counseling, and dinners at instructors' homes are just a few of the ways our faculty stay invested in the lives of our students. As an upper-class student, you can also look forward to giving scientific presentations in the weekly junior senior departmental seminar followed by informal and light-hearted lunches with department faculty and your fellow students!
Setting You Up For Success
Many of our alumni have pursued advanced degrees in graduate or professional school. Our curriculum prepares you for the rigors of advanced studies, not just in scientific knowledge and know-how, but also in the communication of science. Graduates of our program have seen success in programs including Johns Hopkins, the University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, University of Maryland, University of North Carolina, Harvard Medical School, Penn State Hershey School of Medicine, Temple University School of Dentistry, and University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.
Our students have flourished in careers as forensic scientists, clinical laboratory scientists, industrial hygienists, medical doctors, college professors, pharmacists, attorneys, quality control engineers, nutritionists, business executives, and nuclear submariners. From GlaxoSmithKline and Merck and Company, to Milton S. Hershey School and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, we have a network of alumni across the country who serve as mentors and contacts for our students.
