Chemistry

Chemistry is the study of matter and its change by interaction with other matter and energy. Chemistry involves the identification of matter and its properties as it interacts, combines and changes to form new substances. Often called the central science, it provides explanations for understanding the nature of life, the earth and the universe.

You’ll see soon enough that Chemistry can be applied to many different aspects of the natural world. The Professional concentration is excellent preparation for a career as a scientist or engineer. The Biochemistry concentration provides excellent preparation for medically-related careers and those that require expertise in both chemistry and biology. A concentration in Renewable Energy gains you access to this rapidly growing field.

As a student you’ll begin with courses in Organic, Analytical and Inorganic Chemistry. You’ll then choose among courses in Biochemistry, Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Green and Sustainable Chemistry, Scientific Computing and Ethics in Scientific Research. You may also want to take additional courses in Physics, Geoscience, Biology and Mathematics.

Class sizes are small, no more than 18 in a general chemistry laboratory and typically 8-10 in upper-level courses, which provides you ample opportunity for interaction with the instructor. There is a tutoring support system for students as well.
The different concentrations allow you the flexibility to obtain a second major and minor. Chemistry majors have doubled-majored in Art, Spanish, Psychology, Physics and Biology.
You’ll have the opportunity to work with the latest lab instrumentation beginning in your first semester of chemistry.
You’ll have opportunities to gain valuable experience as a laboratory assistant on campus, conduct research with faculty, present your research at national conferences and serve as a tutor as part of the College’s academic success system.
As a student in Madison, you have the opportunity for internships and employment at high-tech and biotech companies, and you’ll take advantage of local resources, including library access and instrumentation at a major research university.

Graduates move on into research and development, graduate school, medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine.

Our graduates are Physician Assistants, Physical Therapists, and laboratory scientists. They are serving in biomedical engineering, health and safety, pharmacology, toxicology, public outreach and policy, and environmental protection and sustainability. And they are working in such diverse fields as alternative energy, technical communication, law, forensics, and art restoration; in short, nearly any career and field that uses the critical thinking skills they developed and advanced at Edgewood College.

The Department of Physics is located in the Sonderegger Science Center, which is well-equipped thanks to the Sonderegger Endowment Fund that allows us to purchase high-quality equipment for teaching and research.

Fabrication Laboratory (Fab Lab)

We have a Fabrication Laboratory (Fab Lab) provides student access to high-tech equipment including:

Multiple filament and resin 3-D printers with different printing capabilities
A high-powered laser cutter capable of cutting or etching most woods and plastics
Hakko soldering stations
Keysight Benchtop devices
Hand tools and project space
2- and 3- dimensional design software
Injection molding
Vacuum forming

Coming soon:

3D scanner machine

The facility provides resources and opportunities for student directed projects, and is open to students from across campus, not just science majors. Workshops and training sessions are open to anyone and are offered on a regular basis. It is also being actively integrated into Edgewood College courses, including two new physics courses, Introduction to Engineering (PHYS 160) and Engineering Modeling and Design (PHYS 170), as well as some theatre classes.

Obsession Dobsonian Telescope

Our department is also home to a 20” Obsession Dobsonian telescope. The telescope currently resides at the Ernest Hupenden Painted Forest near Reedsburg, WI. This rural location is ideal for observing the night sky. The telescope is used by students in our Astronomy class and for student projects. Additionally, our department hosts public observing nights at the Painted Forest in the summer and fall.

Chemistry

Program Highlights

Career Outcomes

Facilities and Instrumentation

Faculty Spotlight

James Goll

Louise Stracener

Mark Schwalbe