Chemistry and Biochemistry

Degree Type Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Science
Department Chemistry and Biochemistry
Academic Division The College
Offerings Major
Chemistry and Biochemistry students develop an understanding of chemistry and are encouraged to continue the pursuit of a deeper or broader understanding of the disciplines. Faculty are committed to preparing lifelong learners who are equipped with skills derived in W&L's classrooms and laboratories.

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Chemistry and biochemistry majors understand essential chemical principles and have a foundation of factual chemical knowledge on which they may build in the future. 

One of the greatest benefits of studying chemistry at W&L is the hands-on training students receive when using the state-of-the-art equipment for lab and research. Students can participate in summer research projects alongside faculty, as well as directed individual study during the academic year. These partnerships often lead to co-authoring papers in scientific journals and presenting at professional conferences.

"The wide variety of classes that I have taken over two years has taught me to be open-minded and to analyze problems from various perspectives."

Anukriti ShresthaClass of 2019

Erich Uffelman

Department Head
P: 540-458-8040
E: uffelmane@wlu.edu

Brittany Carr

Administrative Assistant
P: 540-458-8872
E: bcarr@wlu.edu

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Sample Courses

At W&L, we believe education and experience go hand-in-hand. You'll be encouraged to dive in, explore and discover connections that will broaden your perspective.
CHEM 110

General Chemistry

A foundational course for those pursuing upper-level chemistry and biochemistry. Fundamental vocabulary, concepts and principles that appear throughout the chemistry and biochemistry curriculum are introduced, including basic chemistry calculations, quantum mechanics in chemistry, molecular structure, chemical thermodynamics and chemical kinetics.

CHEM 211

Analytical Chemistry

Emphasis on inorganic systems exhibiting aqueous solution equilibria. Topics covered include acid/base reactions, redox reactions, complexation, precipitation reactions and solution equilibrium. Laboratory work emphasizes basic wet-chemical as well as more sophisticated instrumental techniques of chemical quantitative analysis with appropriate statistical methods of data handling.

BIOL 150

Genetic Engineering & Society

In this course, we explore the nuts and bolts of genetic engineering and a small sampling of its applications, including developing drugs and vaccinations, enhancing crops, testing for genetic diseases, and genetic testing in the courtroom. These applications introduce ethical considerations for us to debate. In addition, we use molecular-biology tools to carry out our own genetic engineering projects with spider silk genes, which have potential for multiple medical and industrial applications.

CHEM 106

Disorder & Chaos

An interdisciplinary introduction to the concepts underlying nonlinear dynamics and fractal geometry emphasizing the theories of chaos and complexity. Students study mathematical and computer modeling of physical and social systems and interpret the results of these models using graphical methods and written descriptions.

CHEM 156

Science in Art

This course develops students' fundamental understanding of certain physical, chemical, biological and geological concepts and utilizes that vocabulary and knowledge to discuss 17th-century Dutch art. The emphasis is on key aspects of optics, light and chemical bonding needed to understand how a painting "works" and how art conservators analyze paintings in terms of conservation and authenticity, using techniques such as X-ray radiography, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Raman microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, infrared microscopy, infrared reflectography, gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, UV-vis spectroscopy, UV photography and laser ablation methods.

Meet the Faculty

At W&L, students enjoy small classes and close relationships with professors who educate and nurture.
Erich Uffelman Head of the Chemistry Department; Bentley Professor of Chemistry
P: 540-458-8040 E: uffelmane@wlu.edu
Uffelman teaches courses in upper-level inorganic chemistry. He also teaches courses that overlap with the Art and Art History Department, such as Science in Art. Uffelman regularly supervises summer research students.
Curriculum Vitae
Andrea Abry Instructor of Chemistry/Supervisor of Labs
P: 540-458-8163 E: abrya@wlu.edu
Abry teaches General Chemistry, Disorder and Chaos, and Aqueous Inorganic Quantitative Chemistry.
Lisa Alty John T. Herwick, M.D. Professor of Chemistry
P: 540-458-8927 E: altyl@wlu.edu
Alty teaches courses in upper-level chemistry, primarily organic. Her research focuses on laboratory instruction in chemistry.
Curriculum Vitae
Nick Alden Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry
P: 540-458-4868 E: nalden@wlu.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Connell Cunningham Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry
P: 540-458-4854 E: ccunningham@wlu.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Steve Desjardins Professor of Chemistry
P: 540-458-8873 E: desjardins@wlu.edu
Desjardins teaches courses in general and physical chemistry. His research interests include statistical mechanics, nonlinear dynamics, and chemical kinetics.
Curriculum Vitae
Kyle Friend Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
P: 540-458-8616 E: friendk@wlu.edu
Kyle Friend teaches courses on genetic engineering and biochemistry at all levels. His research uses mouse embryonic stem cells to investigate how mRNA translation and stability are regulated as stem cells differentiate into other cell types.
Curriculum Vitae
Erin Gray Assistant Professor of Chemistry
P: 540-458-4867 E: egray@wlu.edu
Erin Gray teaches organic chemistry, and her research seeks to employ synthetic organic chemistry to answer unsolved questions in biology. She designs new catalytic transformations for the synthesis of complex molecules, with the goal of using these reactions to label and study biomolecules.
Curriculum Vitae
Sarah Kim Assistant Professor of Chemistry
P: 540-458-4850 E: skim2@wlu.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Fred LaRiviere Associate Dean of the College; Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
P: 540-458-8746 E: larivieref@wlu.edu
LaRiviere’s courses include Teaching Inquiry in the Local Schools, Mechanisms of Cancer and Advanced Biochemistry. Each summer, he also supervises a number of research students.
Donna Smith Instructor of Chemistry
P: 540-458-8343 E: smithdm@wlu.edu
Smith teaches Organic Chemistry and Spectroscopic Methods.
Curriculum Vitae
Matt Tuchler Associate Professor of Chemistry
P: 540-458-8029 E: tuchlerm@wlu.edu
Tuchler teaches many upper-level physical chemistry courses. His research group developed a technique to measure the equilibrium constant as a function of temperature for any gas phase equilibrium of the form.
Curriculum Vitae