The faculty of the Department of Chemistry, through courses and research opportunities, provides a nurturing but challenging environment for students pursuing undergraduate degrees in chemistry. Undergraduate students in our department typically take a total of 45 credits in chemistry courses for a B.S. degree and 36 credits for a B.A. degree. The courses offered range from basic level General Chemistry, to the two semester sequence of Organic Chemistry and more advanced courses in Physical, Organic and Inorganic Chemistry. Many students also choose to do research, as hands-on laboratory experience is vital in the development of a chemist. When graduating from our department undergraduate students follow diverse paths, such as working for the chemical industry or going to graduate and medical school, among others.

Undergraduate Student Spotlight: Rob Buckley

Rob entered Syracuse University to pursue a degree in Chemistry. As part of his program, he hoped to eventually participate in research. After a very successful first semester, Prof. Asefa gave Rob an opportunity to become a member of his lab and assist with his research on nanotechnology.

Rob became an active participant in the lab and picked up a project involving copper to determine site-isolation in mesoporous channels. This work resulted in a paper that is currently being reviewed for publication by the editors of the Journal of American Chemical Society.

During the summer following his freshman year, Rob continued his research in Prof. Asefa's lab through participation in the University's REU program. In addition to presentations to REU participants and sponsors, Rob's summer research afforded him the additional opportunity to prepare and deliver presentations to representatives of O'Brien & Gere, an engineering and project delivery company with offices throughout the country. At the beginning of the summer, O'Brien and Gere offered to collaborate with Rob on his current project involving 1,4-dioxane.

In his spare time, Rob enjoys hanging out with his friends and going to the gym.