The Bachelor of Science degree program (38 hours of chemistry) is recommended for students who wish to pursue graduate studies or industrial employment in career fields such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, research & development, quality control, environmental monitoring, forensic science, and many others.

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Contrary to common misconceptions, science is NOT an abstract discipline. In order to become scientists and not simply technicians, students need to develop their own conceptual models and an expertise in laboratory techniques.

The chemistry department is well equipped with modern instrumentation which students use in classes and research. Instruments include:

• FT-NMR spectrometer
• Diode array UV-VIS spectrophotometer
• Atomic absorption spectrophotometer
• GC-Mass spectrometer
• FT-IR spectrophotometer
• High-pressure liquid chromatograph
• Luminescence spectrometer
• Computer workstations
• Gel electrophoresis
• Low pressure chromatography

Small class sizes, excellent equipment resources and RWC’s dedicated faculty offer a structured, safe environment where students are challenged to “learn by doing”.

Opportunities exist to gain firsthand experience in teaching, organizing and managing an academic laboratory program through employment under the Smith Scholar program (see insert). Independent studies, internships and research experiences are encouraged and supported as an integral component of the educational experience.

RWC graduates have experienced nearly 90% acceptance rate into advanced studies such as medical school, pharmaceutical school and PhD programs in chemistry and biochemistry. Students graduating with bachelors degrees have successfully obtained employment in a wide variety of challenging fields that provide excellent compensation and career growth opportunities. Employers particularly value the personal integrity and work ethic exhibited by our graduates, as well as the broad academic foundation students will gain from their liberal arts education.

There are many levels at which a given event or situation can be described. An exhaustive description on one level does not rule out meaningful descriptions on other levels. For example, consider various descriptions of a sunset. One might be a very comprehensive scientific description in terms of atmospheric absorption and scattering of different wavelengths of light. Another description might restrict itself to the effects of the sunset on the viewers. A third might be given at the level of the beauty and wonders of God and his creation. All of these can be valid descriptions of the same phenomenon.
God reveals himself to humans in many ways, including through Nature (God’s work) and through the Bible (God’s word). Isaac Newton referred to these as God’s two books. We should read both of God’s books, and the two books, if interpreted properly, are consistent and compatible.

David E. Roll, Ph.D., Professor of Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Human Biology, Pre-Professional Health Advisor. Ph.D., University of Illinois. Specialties: Organic and biological chemistry. In 1996 Dr. Roll received a 2-year, $94,000 NIH AREA grant investigating new chemotherapeutic targets against Chlamydia bacteria. At Roberts since 1978.
Email: rolld@roberts.edu

Jason Taylor, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Pre-Pharmacy Advisor. PhD., Indiana University. Specialties: bioanalytical chemistry, nanotechnology, and environmental science. At Roberts since 2003.
Email: taylor_jason@roberts.edu