Mission Statement

We in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at W&L provide education in the chemical sciences, conduct scientific research in chemistry, biochemistry, and related areas, and share expertise and service to other members of the Washington and Lee community as well as a wide range of professional and private communities outside of W&L.

Our Pedagogical Goals

We have as our primary pedagogical goals both to instill in our students understanding of chemistry based in current chemical knowledge, and the desire to continue the pursuit of a deeper or broader understanding of chemistry in particular, and knowledge in general. We are committed to preparing life-long learners who are equipped with skills derived in our classrooms and laboratories.

Our Learning Objectives

Upon completing a major in chemistry or biochemistry, our students will understand essential chemical principles and have a foundation of factual chemical knowledge on which they may build in the future. Our students will develop intellectual skills that they may use to solve problems in chemistry and beyond. Our students will learn to use the chemical literature and learn to communicate scientific results both orally and in writing. Our students will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of technical skills as a result of working with modern laboratory technology, while simultaneously developing basic competence in laboratory techniques, skills, practices, including basic laboratory safety skills. Finally, our students will learn to work as part of a team and understand ethical practices in chemistry.

Our Students

We serve students with varied interests. These students include, but are not restricted to: those pursuing careers in the chemical sciences directly upon graduation or after further studies; those pursuing careers in the Health Professions; those pursuing careers in branches of the natural sciences other than chemistry; and those who will study chemistry as part of W&L’s Foundations and Distribution requirements or for purposes of scientific literacy.

Our Research and Service

We are committed to an environment that is conducive to the pursuit and practice of scientific research in chemistry and related fields. This research contributes to faculty development and it provides exposure for students in the role and practice of the scientific method. Our Department makes its expertise in the chemical sciences available to others in the University and larger community as needed. Members of the Chemistry Department serve as student advisors and on University committees.

Learning Objectives

Discover more details concerning learning objectives specific to individual courses.

Department Info

  • Science Addition
    Washington and Lee University
    Lexington, Virginia 24450

Matt Tuchler

Department Head

Oforiwaa Sam

Administrative Assistant

Spider Sense

Nadia Ayoub, professor of biology, loves sharing her passion for open-ended scientific exploration with colleagues and students.

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Erin Gray

Erin Gray Receives American Chemical Society’s Undergraduate New Investigator Grant

The assistant professor of chemistry will utilize the funds to conduct fundamental research in organic chemistry.

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‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Lisa Alty

In this month’s episode, Alty discusses how a distasteful high school chemistry experience, enrolling in college as a first-generation student and seeing W&L evolve since the early years of coeducation shaped her approach to teaching.

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W&L’s Rheannon Loth ’24 Awarded a U.S. Teaching Assistantship to Austria

Loth will teach English in Austria for nine months before applying for the Peace Corps.

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W&L’s Sarp Sahin ’26 Awarded Goldwater Scholarship

Sahin is W&L’s first sophomore to receive the scholarship since 2009.

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Meet Sydney Fleming ’27

The first-year student says the Outing Club and W&L's proximity to great hiking and kayaking spots were a big draw.

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In Memoriam: J. Brown Goehring, Professor of Chemistry Emeritus

W&L’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter named the Phi Beta Kappa J. Brown Goehring Sophomore Award in his honor.

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Meet Tiwaniya Tyler ’24

With medical school on the horizon, Tyler embraces many opportunities such as research fellowship, studying abroad and sorority life.

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Jaden Keuhner '24 at Lexington's Gold Star Memorial at Jordan's Point.

Jaden Keuhner ’24 leaves a legacy honoring Gold Star families

Keuhner helped establish a memorial at Jordan’s Point dedicated to veterans killed in the line of duty and their families.

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W&L’s Kyle Friend Presents Nobel Prize Symposium Talk

Kyle Friend, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, will discuss this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine on Nov. 8 in Leyburn Library’s Harte Center.

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Digging Deep

W&L’s Summer Research Scholars program gives students hands-on experience in collaborative research with faculty mentors.

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Griffin Conti '26 and Christy Childs '26

Two Washington and Lee ROTC Students Receive Project Global Officer Grants

Christy Childs ’26 and Griffin Conti ’26 will receive funding to study foreign languages this summer.

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