About the Department
The Department of Chemistry offers a full set of courses designed to prepare
a student for graduate study, medical school, secondary education, or work
in the chemical industry. This coursework includes a foundational two-year
program with associated labs in general, organic, and quantitative chemistry
followed by intensive junior/senior laboratory courses in conjunction with
advanced courses in biochemistry, physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry.
All of our majors assemble a Chemistry Portfolio over their junior and senior
years that insure each student has conducted experiments in all areas of chemistry,
has achieved proficiency in all major areas of instrumentation, and both attended
and given seminars both inside and outside of Berea College. Our courses are
grounded in problem solving using both practical and quantitative reasoning
skills. We also are committed to the idea that students should conduct research
as part of their undergraduate curriculum. All of our Faculty direct
undergraduate research with our students as well as send some of our students
to undergraduate research programs at other institutions. We hope to prepare
our students to address chemical problems that have come to dominate the headlines
of today's news from nuclear to biomedical issues and everything in between.
Our students have gone on to work in many fields including chemical industrial
research, medicine (including doctors, physician assistants, and pharmacists),
and teaching (both college and secondary). Our courses also serve as collateral
requirements in Biology, SENS, and Nursing, as well as provide general chemistry
and environmental chemistry courses to serve the student body at large.
Chemistry is central to many of the major issues that will face society for
years to come from energy and waste management to medicine and biotechnology.
Article in Fall 2003 Chemistry Magazine published by the American Chemical Society which describes the Berea College chemistry department.
Article in Fall 2003 Chemistry Magazine published by the American Chemical Society which describes the Berea College chemistry department.
This wordpress site will serve as the day to day information about comings and goings in the
department of chemistry. Anyone who needs a user account should email Jay Baltisberger or
Matt Saderholm. We hope you enjoy the ride.
Employment Opportunities
Visiting Assistant Professor – CHEMISTRY (Organic)
The Chemistry Program at Berea College invites applications for a visiting appointment in organic chemistry starting fall 2013. With satisfactory performance, up to three years are possible with this appointment. Teaching responsibilities will consist of general chemistry, organic chemistry, and general studies science courses. Candidates with experience in green/environmental chemistry are particularly encouraged to apply, as well as candidates interested in starting green chemistry undergraduate research. This position will give the candidate a chance to experience teaching in a liberal arts environment under the mentorship of expert chemistry faculty while simultaneously establishing a research program. This position is well suited for recent Ph.D. graduates and post-doctoral researchers in organic chemistry who have a long-term interest in teaching at the undergraduate level, particularly those with a focus on environmental/green chemistry.
Interested applicants should send curriculum vitae, graduate and undergraduate academic transcripts (unofficial are acceptable for the application process), a statement of teaching philosophy, research proposal, and three letters of recommendation to: Dr. Matthew Saderholm, Coordinator, Chemistry Program, saderholmm@berea.edu. Consideration of applicants will begin in December 2012; applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Berea College achieved national distinction as the first coeducational and interracial college in the South. With an emphasis on service to the people of Appalachia and beyond, Berea enrolls 1,600 students from 40 states and 60 countries. As a reflection of its continuing commitment to interracial education, Berea is among the most racially diverse private liberal arts college in the United States. Berea admits only students whose families are unable to afford the high cost of tuition and awards each of them a four-year tuition scholarship. Berea’s students excel in the College’s supportive but demanding academic environment, and many are the first in their families to graduate from college. The College is one of seven federally recognized Work Colleges, and all students hold a labor position in which they work 10-12 hours per week. Graduates distinguish themselves in a variety of fields, including social service, government, ministry, the arts, business, education, medicine, and science, and many go on to earn graduate degrees.
Located where the Bluegrass Region meets the Cumberland Mountains, the town of Berea (pop. 16,000) lies forty miles south of Lexington and is approximately two hours from Cincinnati, Louisville, and Knoxville. More information about Berea College is available at www.berea.edu.
Berea College, in light of its mission in the tradition of impartial love and social equality, welcomes all people of the earth to learn and work here.
The Chemistry Program at Berea College invites applications for a visiting appointment in organic chemistry starting fall 2013. With satisfactory performance, up to three years are possible with this appointment. Teaching responsibilities will consist of general chemistry, organic chemistry, and general studies science courses. Candidates with experience in green/environmental chemistry are particularly encouraged to apply, as well as candidates interested in starting green chemistry undergraduate research. This position will give the candidate a chance to experience teaching in a liberal arts environment under the mentorship of expert chemistry faculty while simultaneously establishing a research program. This position is well suited for recent Ph.D. graduates and post-doctoral researchers in organic chemistry who have a long-term interest in teaching at the undergraduate level, particularly those with a focus on environmental/green chemistry.
Interested applicants should send curriculum vitae, graduate and undergraduate academic transcripts (unofficial are acceptable for the application process), a statement of teaching philosophy, research proposal, and three letters of recommendation to: Dr. Matthew Saderholm, Coordinator, Chemistry Program, saderholmm@berea.edu. Consideration of applicants will begin in December 2012; applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Berea College achieved national distinction as the first coeducational and interracial college in the South. With an emphasis on service to the people of Appalachia and beyond, Berea enrolls 1,600 students from 40 states and 60 countries. As a reflection of its continuing commitment to interracial education, Berea is among the most racially diverse private liberal arts college in the United States. Berea admits only students whose families are unable to afford the high cost of tuition and awards each of them a four-year tuition scholarship. Berea’s students excel in the College’s supportive but demanding academic environment, and many are the first in their families to graduate from college. The College is one of seven federally recognized Work Colleges, and all students hold a labor position in which they work 10-12 hours per week. Graduates distinguish themselves in a variety of fields, including social service, government, ministry, the arts, business, education, medicine, and science, and many go on to earn graduate degrees.
Located where the Bluegrass Region meets the Cumberland Mountains, the town of Berea (pop. 16,000) lies forty miles south of Lexington and is approximately two hours from Cincinnati, Louisville, and Knoxville. More information about Berea College is available at www.berea.edu.
Berea College, in light of its mission in the tradition of impartial love and social equality, welcomes all people of the earth to learn and work here.
Historical Information
The chemistry department has undergone many changes over the course of the
history of the college. The first science instruction began at the turn of
the century (circa 1900) and grew slowly. By the mid 60's we had three faculty
members, Julian Capps, Gus Levey and Thomas Beebe. These three men combined
to serve Berea College for over 100 total years of service time. Thomas Beebe
was the first of the chemists at Berea to institute an undergraduate research
program in the mid 60s. In the early 80's the department expanded to four
fulltime members. By the late 90's we had embraced an active biochemistry
requirement and had added a half-time member in the sustainability and
environmental studies area.
Wow, you are the first vistor to the site from ec2-72-44-49-67.compute-1.amazonaws.com!
Wow, you are the first vistor to the site from ec2-72-44-49-67.compute-1.amazonaws.com!
