"Our majors use all kinds of instruments here which they are not able to use in a large university undergraduate setting. It means better preparation for graduate school, where they will be familiar with this equipment when called upon to use it." - Dr. Randy Huff, Professor Emeritus

Chemistry Department

Now more than ever, a concentration of study in chemical science can open the door to a variety of exciting and challenging careers. No matter whether your interest is materials and manufacturing, energy, transportation, public health, information and communications, or the environment, Presbyterian College can provide you with a sound educational background to help you meet your individual goals.

An outstanding faculty stands ready  to help develop your understanding of the
science of matter and to individually advise you in career planning and course selection. The chemistry department offers a dynamic curriculum which not only includes core courses in general, organic, analytical, and physical chemistry, but also elective courses in spectroscopy, advanced organic, advanced inorganic, and biochemistry. Research opportunities exist for interested students. The combination of core and elective courses allows the chemistry major or minor to customize a program of study that meets his or her specific needs.

There is also an opportunity for membership in the American Chemical Society’s student affiliate chapter, an organization that is composed primarily of majors in the chemical and biological sciences who meet to discuss new ideas and techniques in the field of science.

PC chemistry majors have entered graduate or medical programs at such schools as the Medical University of South Carolina, the University of Georgia, the Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Tech, University of South Florida, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Tennessee.

Classes in the chemistry department are generally small, allowing professors to give more individual attention to their students and to instruct them in the use of laboratory equipment.

PC chemistry students become familiar with a large number of the most commonly used instruments in modern chemistry laboratories, such as infrared, visible, and ultraviolet spectrophotometers to determine concentrations of analytes as well as to develop structural information about molecules. Complex mixtures are separated and analyzed by students using gas chromatographs and high performance liquid chromatographs. After an initial analysis, the PC chemistry major can then follow-up with a gc/mass spectral analysis using the department's gas chromatograph/mass selective detector. The resulting mass spectrum can either be directly analyzed by the student for characteristic fragmentation patterns or compared to a National Institute of Standards and Technology library for identification. For organic molecule structure determination, a student may use the 270 Mhz JEOL Eclipse nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer.

Molecular modeling -- the construction and study of molecular species using computer technology -- is also available to students.

The chemistry department offers several special programs for its majors. Students are encouraged to engage in off-campus programs to gain more first-hand experience in their field of study.