Mission Statement

The mission of the Chemistry Department contributes to that of the mission of the University. The Department offers programs which will emphasize the Bachelor of Science undergraduate liberal arts and professional degree curriculum. The Department also offers a Master of Science degree and maintains its special role in teacher education, continuing education, and public service. For the region of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, it serves as a major chemical education resource.

The Chemistry Department has the central mission of offering undergraduate programs commensurate with the role of a state-assisted regional university providing educational opportunities for students of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, including:

• A major in chemistry, certified by the American Chemical Society, that prepares students for a professional career in chemistry either through industrial employment, government employment, or graduate education.
• A unique interdisciplinary major in biochemistry that prepares students for a professional career in biochemistry, by industrial employment, government employment, graduate education or professional school education.
• An interdisciplinary environmental science major, which utilizes the unique regional features and pristine environment of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
• A major in chemistry compatible with the liberal arts tradition.
• A major in chemistry which enhances the secondary education curriculum.
• Course offerings which enhance other professional and liberal arts degree programs in other departments of the university.
• Course offerings which support the liberal studies program for all students of the university.
• The Chemistry Department has the mission of offering advanced professional instruction through the Master of Science graduate program in chemistry and biochemistry that prepares graduates for either professional employment or further graduate study in doctoral programs.
• The Chemistry Department offers preprofessional programs which enable students to successfully compete for admission to professional schools in the areas of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and related fields.

Departmental Educational Emphasis

The pedagogical philosophy of the department can be summarized in the belief that the best way to learn chemistry is to do chemistry. The preparation of future professionals, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, requires learning and application of knowledge gained through laboratory work. The curriculum emphasizes the scientific method, chemical inquiry, critical thinking, data acquisition and evaluation and effective communication, both written and oral. While the undergraduate curriculum is sufficiently broad to prepare future chemists for careers in many areas of chemistry, the upper division courses allow for some specialization, especially in the areas of biochemistry and environmental chemistry.

Research Program

Undergraduate research, under the direction of a faculty mentor, is encouraged for all chemistry majors. Research projects are available for undergraduate research or for the graduate thesis in the areas of biochemistry, organic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, environmental chemistry, natural products chemistry and physical chemistry. Undergraduate students may participate in research beginning as early as the first year, and may continue throughout the curriculum. Research under a faculty mentor is strongly encouraged for all seniors, regardless of the major. The graduate program allows for further advanced study, with original research required for the Master of Science thesis. Departmental resources and equipment are available to research students.

Vision Statement

The Chemistry Department of Northern Michigan University envisions that it will be recognized by institutions of higher learning for excellence in teaching, mentorship of students, and in research in chemistry, biochemistry, and environmental chemistry. The department will continue to offer the highest quality undergraduate (B.S., including Honors) and graduate (M.S.) curriculum, including the American Chemical Society approved programs in chemistry and biochemistry, and will continue to contribute to excellent preprofessional programs in the health sciences. Students who major in the department will have the option of choosing among degree offerings in chemistry, biochemistry, environmental chemistry, water science, and secondary education, while pursuing career goals in chemistry, biochemistry, environmental science, teaching, pharmacy, medicine, and dentistry. The department will continue to cooperate effectively with other departments to offer interdisciplinary programs in biochemistry, education, water science, and environmental science, and to offer challenging and appropriate courses to support majors in biology, physics, geography, nursing, clinical laboratory science, and technology and applied sciences programs. The department will offer excellent and fascinating introductory courses which will both instruct and stimulate students in all of the university's programs, including the areas of liberal studies, allied health and the chemistry minor, as well as the department's major programs.

The faculty will build research strengths in a variety of fields, providing current expertise in a range of areas. The research will be supported by spacious, well-equipped facilities, with modern instrumentation as needed. Faculty will be recognized as contributing members of their research fields and will integrate their expertise into their academic courses, as well as is practicable. The faculty will be committed to the use of student-discovery teaching methods as well as more traditional techniques, while using current instructional technology throughout the curriculum. All faculty will contribute to the undergraduate curriculum, while engaging in both undergraduate and graduate research.

Students in the department's major programs will have the opportunity to elect a variety of advanced courses to support their interests and career goals. Among the electives for all such students will be the opportunity to work directly with a faculty mentor on a research project, ranging from theoretical computer modeling, through independent laboratory experiences, to applied field work. These opportunities can begin in the first year with the Freshman Fellowship Program, or later, and continue throughout the degree program. They often extend into the graduate level thesis project. Undergraduate and graduate students will communicate their research findings with their mentor in professional journals and will present them at professional scientific meetings and conferences.

The Chemistry Department envisions that the effect of having a highly qualified faculty, housed in new facilities, using modern equipment and instrumentation and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students alike, will produce excellent graduates. Students who graduate from our diverse programs will continue to have excellent success: in seeking meaningful careers in the chemical, pharmaceutical, paper, and environmental industry, and in government agencies related to the physical and life sciences; and in placement into graduate programs at other universities, and into professional schools in medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy.

The opportunity provided by, and success of these programs will enhance the reputation of the Chemistry Department throughout the Great Lakes Region and prove to be irresistibly attractive to prospective students throughout the region.