Chemistry Department
Chemistry Overview
The Hartwick College Department of Chemistry strives to contribute to the overall mission of the College as a Liberal Arts in Practice institution by:
- Training knowledgeable and skilled chemists and biochemists to practice their profession in an ethical way that contributes to a sustainable society,
- Educating all Hartwick students about chemistry as “the central science” and its profound importance to their everyday lives, and
- Actively contributing our scientific knowledge and expertise through collaboration and participation with campus and local communities.
Please note: Hartwick College focuses on offering fall, January, and spring term undergraduate courses in person, however circumstances may require us to offer a small number of courses in this department through distance education. In times of emergency, following regulatory guidelines, all classes may temporarily need to be delivered through distance education, including online. We also offer a slate of courses online in the summer to help our students make progress towards their degrees. With support from an academic advisor, students needing particular courses may have other online options as well. If you have questions about the way courses are delivered in your program, please contact your Department or Program Chair.
Chemistry Degree Options
The department offers five degree options, a chemistry minor, and a pre-engineering program.
Chemistry, biochemistry, and environmental chemistry degrees are certified by the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) Committee on Professional Training and are recommended for students anticipating graduate study or a career in chemical industry.
The non-ACS certified biochemistry B.S. degree is often a good choice for students interested in a career in medicine.
The bachelor of arts degree in chemistry has fewer required courses in the major program and is recommended for students desiring careers in areas where chemistry knowledge is useful but not necessarily the main focus (such as secondary education, health professions, or law).
In addition to the five degree options, the department offers a chemistry minor, and a pre-engineering program.
Students interested in chemical engineering can pursue the pre-engineering Hartwick B.A. degree. Students spend three years at Hartwick and two years at Columbia University College of Engineering and Applied Sciences or at Clarkson University.
Review all the major and minor requirements in the College Catalog.
Chemistry Degree in Three Years
For students majoring in chemistry, Hartwick’s Three-Year Bachelor’s Degree Program is a unique opportunity to earn a degree in three years.
Learn MoreChemistry Courses
Courses are offered in chemistry, biochemistry and environmental chemistry to allow students to complete degree requirements for the degree option of their choice.
At Hartwick, undergraduates get full attention from professors. In addition to their dedication to teaching courses, each chemistry professor has an active research and publishing program and participates in national meetings of the American Chemical Society, the Geological Society of American, and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Review the current course offerings in the College Catalog.
Special Opportunities
Hartwick chemistry and biochemistry students partner directly with faculty to perform a wide variety of ongoing independent research projects. Students present their research at national conferences, and regional symposiums.
Chemistry Special OpportunitiesStill have questions?
Contact Dr. Andrew J. Piefer, Associate Professor & Department Chair
[email protected]