GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Villanova is a welcoming and dynamic scholarly community of undergraduate and graduate students and faculty.

DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry of Villanova University exists to teach the theory and practice of chemistry to undergraduate and graduate students. We train undergraduate majors in the theoretical and practical knowledge of chemistry that will allow them to succeed as professional chemists and liberally trained graduates of Villanova.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry also provides instruction to students in other disciplines who need a chemistry background to succeed in their chosen field. Supported disciplines include Biology, Nursing, and Engineering.

Teacher-scholars who engage in modern chemistry research are best prepared to teach our students. Thus, a second mission of the Department is to conduct cutting edge research in chemistry and related sciences.

Research in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Villanova is driven by the mission to expand the impact of chemistry on real world problems by advancing knowledge through pioneering science and mentoring future leaders in a supportive and inclusive environment.

DEPARTMENT LEARNING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

GOAL 1:

Provide a broad background in chemical principles and in-depth study of chemistry, biochemistry, and related areas.

Specific Objectives

a. Students will demonstrate understanding of chemical principles and research across the five traditional areas of chemistry: Analytical, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Organic, and Physical.

b. Students will be able to make connections between the chemical disciplines as applied to complex chemical problems.

GOAL 2:

Provide and promote active learning through inquiry based laboratory experiences that include modern synthetic techniques, the measurement of chemical and physical properties, biochemical analysis, hands-on experience with modern instrumentation, and computational data analysis and modeling.

Specific Objectives

a. Students will demonstrate understanding of modern synthetic techniques and the measurement of chemical and physical properties.

b. Students will gain significant hands-on experience with state-of-the-art chemical instrumentation and the associated relevant theoretical bases.

c. Students will design and execute experiments, and critically evaluate experimental data.

GOAL 3:

Develop student skills, including: problem-solving, chemical literature evaluation, laboratory safety, written and spoken communications, teamwork, and ethics. Provide professional development activities and advising specific to careers and opportunities for undergraduate majors.

Specific Objectives

a. Students will be able to address complex scientific problems, critically examine relevant chemical literature, and effectively communicate current viewpoints and potential solutions in both written and spoken form.

b. Students will acquire proficiency in safe laboratory practices and working in teams.

c. Students will understand the ethical treatment and reporting of data, and will have the ability to assess the broader impacts of chemical issues.

d. Students will learn about professional careers and opportunities for chemists and biochemists.

GOAL 4:

Provide research experiences in context across the curriculum.

Specific Objectives

a. Students will practice modern research methods in teaching laboratories across the curriculum.

b. Students will have access to cutting edge, independent research activities with faculty research mentors

GRADUATE PROGRAM MISSION AND GOALS

The Graduate Program in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry strives to prepare students to be capable and independent chemists in positions of industrial, government, or academic environments; this includes the preparation of students for further graduate studies.

The Program will provide:

1) a variety of high-quality graduate-level courses, representing all areas of chemistry and biochemistry,

2) hands-on use and training on modern instrumentation, and

3) guided research opportunities and teaching experience through assistantships for students who pursue a thesis-track MS degree in chemistry.

GRADUATE PROGRAM LEARNING OBJECTIVES

GOAL 1:

Provide an advanced treatment of chemical principles and in-depth study of chemistry, biochemistry, and related areas, such that students achieve mastery of chemical content beyond their baseline knowledge.

Specific Objectives

Students will demonstrate comprehensive understanding of chemical principles and research in at least two of the five traditional areas of chemistry: Analytical, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Organic, and Physical.
Students will be able to make connections between the chemical disciplines as applied to special topics and interdisciplinary chemical problems.
Masters of Science – Non-Thesis Option: Students will complete additional coursework to support intellectual development as pertinent to their chemistry-related careers.

GOAL 2:

Develop student skills, including: problem-solving, chemical literature evaluation, written and spoken communications.

Specific Objectives

Students will be able to address complex scientific problems, critically examine relevant chemical literature, and effectively communicate current viewpoints and potential solutions in both written and spoken form.
Students will complete oral presentations and/or written research projects during the course of their class work.

GOAL 3:

Provide thesis students with cutting edge, independent research experiences as well as opportunities for students to demonstrate significant contributions to a research program or chemistry-related career.

Specific Objectives

Masters of Science – Thesis Option: Students will conduct independent research projects culminating in a written thesis and public thesis defense.
Masters of Science – Thesis Option: Students will demonstrate adequate research progress at the midpoint their programs through presentation and defense of a progress seminar.
Masters of Science – Thesis Option: Students will contribute to dissemination of their research through talks or poster presentations at research conferences, contributions to peer reviewed research manuscripts, and/or proposals seeking external grant funding.

GOAL 4:

Provide students with the opportunity to work with faculty members to develop teaching skills and enhance the learning environment for our undergraduate students.

Specific Objectives

Teaching fellows will serve as teaching assistants in hands-on laboratory classes under the direct supervision of faculty members.
As possible, part-time students will also be afforded the opportunity to be teaching assistants.

DEPARTMENT DIVERSITY STATEMENT

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry values and embraces diversity in our student, faculty and staff populations and strives to create a community of mutual respect and inclusion. We recognize and value the perspectives from individuals from diverse backgrounds and identifications, and believe these perspectives bring a wealth of ideas and experiences to bear on our classes, our science, and the functioning of our Department. Thus, we are committed to enhancing the diversity of our Department and our curriculum. We are also committed to listening, learning, and implementing new strategies to best encourage and assist all community members in their learning, growth, and fulfillment of various responsibilities. We recognize that our actions at the Departmental level have an impact on the climate of the University and society, and we use this knowledge to motivate and guide our efforts.