Chemistry and Biochemistry

Chemistry

Chemistry touches our lives in many different ways; the air we breathe, the water we use, the food we eat, and even we ourselves can be understood through chemistry. Furthermore, chemistry reveals the greatness of God—the creator and sustainer of the universe—and therein, Christians can respond to His call to stewardship of the world He has given us.

On this page Overview Graduate Outcomes Programs / Features Faculty Contact

Program Overview

We worship and serve a God who has revealed Himself. In addition to revealing Himself in the Bible, God has revealed Himself to us through creation. Just as it is possible to discern characteristics of an artist by studying his or her artwork, it is also possible to discern some of the qualities of God by studying the creation. As followers of God, we undertake the study of science so that we might know God better—with a hope toward being able to love Him more deeply.

All students begin their collegiate exploration of the world of chemistry by taking General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. From here, students majoring in the discipline have freedom to pursue any one of a variety of tracks of study in chemistry that can be pieced together alongside a faculty advisor who considers a student’s particular interests and goals and can also choose to concentrate in biochemistry.

Graduate Outcomes

Our graduates have gone into teaching, worked for the US government, pursued advanced degrees in chemistry, and have gone on to medical school and careers in medicine to name just a few pathways.

Alumni have entered positions such as:

Pediatrician, Augusta Pediatric Associates
Occupational and Environmental Resident, University of Texas School of Public Health
Flight Surgeon, US Navy
Development Chemist II, Chattem Inc., Sanofi Chattanooga Chemicals
Research Fellow and Legislative Aide

Thomas Holcombe ’12

Ian Banks ’20

James Goodman ’00

We believe that God is our sovereign King and that Christ is preeminent in all things, the sciences included.

Dan Zuidema

Professor of Chemistry

Programs & Features

A chemistry major provides students with a large body of information and techniques to prepare them for careers in professional chemistry or for admission into medical school. Students can major in chemistry with a biochemistry concentration.

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A minor in chemistry or biochemistry meets the needs of students with career interests in other natural sciences and the health care professions, providing some measure of technical expertise and grasp of the limitations and successful applications of chemistry as it relates to other callings.

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Students interested in teaching chemistry for grades 6-12 should complete a BA degree with a major in chemistry and then enroll in the one-year Master of Arts in Teaching at Covenant College. It is recommended that the Education Minor be completed.

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CHE 104 Introductory Organic and Biochemistry
CHE 225 Analytical Chemistry
CHE 326 Instrumental Analysis
CHE 491 Perspectives in Chemistry

“Sickle Cell Disease: Seeking Redemption in a Fallen World”
“Dexamethasone and Resveratrol Cancer Therapies as a Case Study in the Pursuit of Science as Faithful Worship”
“Odonata as Environmental Bioindicators: Aquatic and Terrestrial Big-Whigs”
“The Chemistry of the Nuclear Bomb”
“Brain-Moral: How does neurobiology affect our moral theories and practical ethics?”

Guided Capstone Requirements

Rotary evaporator
UV-vis spectrometer
Infrared spectrometer
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer
Gas chromatography (GC) unit

Collaborative Research and Presentations by Chemistry Faculty and Students:

“Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation (CTH) of Ketoximes with Raney Nickel Catalyst and 2-Propanol as Hydrogen Donor,” Southeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society
“Using The Poisoner’s Handbook in Conjunction with Teaching a First-term General/Organic/Biochemistry Course,” Journal of Chemical Education, 2016, 93, 98.
“Exploration of the Connection Between Studying Chemistry and Studying Language,” Southeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society

Meet the Chemistry Faculty

Dan Zuidema Professor of Chemistry

Preston Hoobler Assistant Professor of Chemistry

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