Chemistry and Biochemistry Department
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.
Bentley Professor of Chemistry Erich Uffelman offers us an office tour.
Senior Ryan Doty reflects on his time at Washington and Lee and the experiences he’ll carry with him into his next chapter.
Sahin’s award will support his graduate studies at Cardiff University as a Fulbright scholar.
Oriana Gutierrez ’24, Connor Lafo ’26 and Gabrielle Ursin ’25 have received pre-doctoral graduate research fellowships from the National Science Foundation to support their research.
Holliday will work on computational protein design at the Graz Institute of Technology before pursuing a Ph.D. in biochemistry at the University of Washington.
The senior’s research on Parkinson’s disease was published in Brain: A Journal of Neurology
From a public health Volunteer Venture trip to alumni mentorship, the 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ network opened doors and supported dreams for Liv Ullmann ’25.
At prestigious labs around the country, 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ students have pushed themselves and the frontiers of science to help those with a rare disease.
The associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry will discuss this year’s Nobel Prize winners in physiology or medicine on Feb. 5 in Leyburn Library.
Doty’s many creative pursuits range from research in the chemistry lab to taking photos around campus.
The annual address that celebrates 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ faculty for excellence in scholarship and teaching will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 17 in University Chapel.
Avigliano is studying for the MCAT this summer and then will be working as a scribe for a pediatrician.