Environmental Chemistry, Bachelor of Science
Department Chair:
Andrew J. Piefer
Faculty:
Zsuzsanna Balogh-Brunstad; John Dudek; Mark Erickson; Wayne McMahon
Major
Environmental Chemistry
Minor
N/A
About
Hartwick College offers an American Chemical Society (ACS) approved B.S. degree in Environmental Chemistry. The word environment in its broadest sense means an individual’s or community’s surroundings. Environmental Chemistry is thus the study of the composition and changes in composition of our surroundings. Environmental Chemistry applies chemistry to a wide variety of situations including, but not limited to, the broad categories of natural water, air, and soil chemistry; water, air, and soil pollution; pollution remediation; water, waste water, air, and hazardous waste treatment; pollution prevention (also known as green chemistry); toxicology; and resource availability and use. Some specific issues you may be familiar with that fall under these broad categories include ozone depletion, global warming, indoor air pollution, availability and use of fossil fuels, alternative energy sources, acid rain, and many others.
Requirements for a major in Environmental Chemistry include courses in Biology and/or Geology as well as in chemistry and auxiliary courses in math and physics. A required senior research project involves laboratory, library, and possibly field work, interpretation of data, and oral and written reports of the results.
In addition to the independent research required for their Senior Project, Environmental Chemistry majors often collaborate with faculty on ongoing research and/or complete internships with state and federal agencies, environmental consulting firms, or other universities.
Hartwick’s major in Environmental Chemistry prepares students for entry-level positions in consulting firms, industry, state and federal government agencies, and research laboratories or for entry into graduate school to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree.