Program Description

Chemistry occupies a central position in the modern sciences, influencing nearly every aspect of human enterprise, from agriculture, industry, and medicine to theoretical research on the origin and structure of the universe. It forms not only a basis for understanding non-living material systems—its traditional domain—but biological systems and many psychological processes as well. Ultimately, most phenomena in biology, medicine, geology, and environmental sciences can be stated in terms of the chemical and physical behavior of atoms and molecules.

The BA major in chemistry not only serves students who intend to pursue a career in chemistry; it is also provides a sound foundation for related careers in such fields as medicine and environmental science, teaching, law, business, art conservation, and journalism.

Approximately 60 percent of our alumni go on to graduate school or professional school. Many of our earlier graduates are now successful research scientists in the chemical industry or academia, and some are in management positions. Many other chemistry alumni are now practicing physicians.

Program Faculty

Requirements for the Major

• General Chemistry I & II with lab
• Organic Chemistry I & II with lab
• Chemical Instrumentation and Analytical Methods
• Physical Chemistry I & Lab
• A minimum of 4 credits of advanced chemistry electives, chosen from the following list:
  Physical Chemistry II
  Medicinal Chemistry
  Bioorganic Mechanisms
  Biochemistry
  Biochemistry Lab
  Special Topics in Chemistry
  Independent Study (upper level)
• Calculus I & II
• Introductory Physics I & II
• Chemistry Junior Seminar
• Chemistry Senior Seminar I & II
• Senior Research Project

Representative Alumni

• John Ambroseo ’83, PhD, University of Pennsylvania; president and CEO, Coherent Inc.
• Enoch P. Baldwin ’82, PhD, University of California, Berkeley; associate professor, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis
• Dora Carrico-Moniz ’99, PhD, Yale University; assistant professor of chemistry, Wellesley College
• Sean M. Casey ’88, PhD, University of Minnesota; associate professor and chair, Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno
• Tom Casti ’80, PhD, University of California, Berkeley; product specialist, Gore Associates (Gortex)
• Younhee Cho ’04, PhD, Texas A&M University; research associate, Scripps Institute
• Peter C. Compo ’81, PhD, City College of New York; senior research scientist, DuPont
• Matthew Craddock ’99, PhD, University of Minnesota; postdoctoral fellow, Columbia University; science teacher, Millennium High School, New York, N.Y.
• Julio D’Arcy ’00, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles; postdoctoral fellow, MIT
• David Ebel ’07, research technician, Kerry Ingredients
• Francis Greally ’00, chemistry teacher, the Masters School, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
• Robert A. Herman ’79, MD, SUNY Buffalo; staff psychiatrist, University of Maryland Health Center, College Park, and Anne Arundel Medical Center
• Jacques Jospitre ’92, MD, Columbia University, PhD, New York University; psychiatrist
• David Khoshabo ’03, research scientist, BASF
• Martha Knieriem ’86, MS, Lehigh University; regulatory document writer, Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation
• Derek Levison ’86 (chemistry and biology), PhD, City University of New York; managing director, EMP Biotech, Germany
• George Livermore ’81 (chemistry and biology), MD, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; otolaryngologist
• Juan A. March ’85, MD, SUNY Upstate Medical University; professor and chief of the Division of Emergency Medical Services, The Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University
• Colm McCarthy ’09 (chemistry and biology), MD (currently PhD student), McGill University
• Jonathan Mathis ’10, first-year medical student, Morehouse College
• Mark Pastore ’87, vice president of clean coal solutions, Environmental Energy Services (EES) Inc.
• Peter Powchik ’79, MD, New York University; head of clinical development and regulatory affairs, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
• Christopher L. Reilly ’85, MD, Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff University (UK); general and laparoscopic surgeon, West Houston Surgical Associates PA, Houston, Texas
• Sharon Rivera ’03, PhD, Syracuse University; postdoctoral fellow, Columbia University
• Milo Russell ’11 (chemistry and creative writing), PhD student, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• Mahsa Salsabili ’10 (chemistry and biology), PharmD student, SUNY Buffalo
• Clifford Soll ’84, PhD, City University of New York; mass spectrometry facility director, Hunter College, City University of New York
• Robert Vitti ’82, MD, St. Andrews Medical College; ophthalmologist and vice president, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
• Reinemarie Willimann ’87 (chemistry and biology), DVM, Cornell University; veterinarian, Mount Kisco Veterinary Clinic
• Frances Zappalla ’81 (chemistry and biology), MD, Long Island College of Osteopathic Medicine; pediatric cardiologist, North Shore University Hospital

For more information, please visit the chemistry program site or email sciences@purchase.edu.

Updated April 3, 2013

Updates
Please direct updates for this page to the managing editor in the Office of the Provost and Academic Affairs. Because internal and external links may change or expire from time to time, please report any changed or broken links to the managing editor as well.