Department of Chemistry

     The Chemistry Department at Georgia Southern University offers a modern chemistry program leading to a B.S. certified by the American Chemical Society. With over 400 chemistry majors, the Department ranks in the top 25 producers of ACS-certified B.S. chemistry majors nation-wide. Our ACS Student Affiliate chapter has been recognized as an Outstanding Chapter of the ACS.

     The program combines student-centered classes, broad-based laboratory instruction and opportunities for research into a comprehensive chemistry education for our students. Sound fundamental training is provided for those who plan to pursue graduate studies; work in chemical or chemical-related industry; or enter medical, dental, or other health-science professional schools.  The Department occupies a new building with well-equipped laboratories and modern instrumentation for instruction and research. Faculty members pursue research in a wide range of areas including analytical chemistry, biochemistry, carbohydrate chemistry, chemical education, food chemistry, organic synthesis and physical chemistry.


NEWS!   NEWS!   NEWS!
Research for Freshmen and Sophomores
Attention all COST Freshmen & Sophomores:
Summer 2009 student research scholarship applications are now available. Scholarships are in the amount of $2000! Applications are due February 26, 2010.
Why do Undergraduate Research?
  • Gain hands-on experience
  • Develop mentor relationship with faculty member
  • Increase knowledge and develop skills in your field of study
  • help clarify your own personal and academic goals
  • Apply classroom lessons in real world situations
  • Be part of a team
  • Participate in Georgia Southern’s mission as a research institution
All freshmen and sophomore majors in the following areas are eligible:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Civil Engineering Technology
  • Electrical Engineering Technology
  • Geology
  • Geography
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Physics
For More Information...
http://cost.georgiasouthern.edu/aspires/research.html
gmolina@georgiasouthern.edu

Time to Get Advised
It's almost time to register for Spring 2010 classes. All chemistry students should be getting appointments with their advisors to discuss classes for next semester and also check on progress and requirements to staying on track in the program.

Freshman and Sophomores: The COST Advising Center has a new online appointment scheduling feature. You should have already received instructions on how to log in and make an appointment. You can make an appointment by clicking on the button below.
Schedule Now

Juniors and Seniors: The sign-up sheets should start appearing outside faculty offices soon. Be sure to stop by your advisor's office and get an appointment before your registration begins.

BE A TEACHER!
Have you ever considered becoming a professional high-school science teacher? Do you love to see children excited about learning and want to impact the lives of others in a positive manner?

The new NSF-funded SMART Scholarship is a scholarship program for GSU Science and Math majors who seek to be qualified high-school science or math teachers. It offers training and experience opportunities as well as financial support for the scholar's senior year as well as an additional year of support toward the graduate MAT degree in the College of Education (to gain instructional education and also teaching certification). To learn more you should visit the SMART Scholarship Webpage or e-mail Dr Jim Lobue.


Welcome New Faculty
There are several new faces around the chemistry department and we are excited to have them. It is a pleasure to introduce:

Ria Ramoutar and Chandan Maitrani, who are visiting this year as Temporary Instructors
and
Kimberly Schurmeier, who has joined our department as our new Assistant Lecturer

 If you meet them be sure to give them a warm 'GSU Welcome'.
We are delighted to have them here and hope they have a successfull and enjoyable year!



Southern Chemical Society in Good Hands
The GSU Southern Chemical Society (the student chemistry club) elected new officers for the 2009-10 academic school year.
Thank you to all of the members who came to the officer elections tonight. I'd like to announce the new officers:

President: Kathryn Lanier
Vice President: Koomi Orr
Treasurer: Hisham El-Shaffey
Secretary: James L. Conner
Historian: Jasmine Boyd
Public Relations: Brilee Coleman
Tutoring Chair: Appiah Kissi

We thank the outgoing officers for their excellent service last year and wish the new officers and all the student members much success and an exciting year. You can find out more on the Southern Chemical Society website


Chemistry Faculty Receive Awards
All of our faculty put a great deal of time and dedication to their educational, scholarly, and service activities, but it's always nice to to be able to recognize some particularly successful efforts. We are delighted to recognize that that:

Dr Laura Frost was awarded a Special Project Grant by The POGIL Project titled “Cross-Disciplinary Applications: Taking the Next Step” ($1,925). These grants provides funding to assist faculty with implementation of the POGIL approach in a variety of disciplines by facilitating collaboration between different institutions throughout the Southeastern US.

Dr Brian Koehler was named a 2009 NACADA Outstanding Advising Award Winner (Faculty-Advisor role) by the National Academic Advising Association. Dr Koehler has been working as the Chemistry Advisor in the new College of Science and Technology Advising Center since it opened two years ago, advising chemistry majors as they begin their college life at Georgia Southern University. There is more about the award here.

Jessica Orvis was named a COST Tenured Faculty Member of the Year and also received the COST Teaching Award for 2009. Jessica is heavily involved in the First Year Experience Task Force, Conversations with Professors, directs the General Chemistry Program, oversees approximately 50 student teaching assistants, and is invaluable to the chemistry department. There is more about her awards here.


2009 Chemistry Award Winners
We in Chemistry are very proud and pleased with how hard our students work and how involved they are in the activities and research of the department. While often it is difficult to select only four from many deserving majors, we would this year like to recognize the following students for their outstanding achivement and contributions to our program:

The Freshman Chemistry Award: Harley R. Hendrix
The Bill Ponder Scholarship: Thomas T. Eisenhart
The American Chemical Society Senior Award: Nancy E. Montgomery
The American Institute of Chemists Outstanding Senior Award: Alysha R. Trzecieski

 Congratulations to you all!


New Department Chair
The Department of Chemistry is pleased to announce that Dr. John DiCesare has accepted the position of Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry. John comes to us from the University of Tulsa and brings with him a rich background in many fields of chemistry, a phenomenal track record of working with undergraduate students in research, and a strong will to help the faculty of the department succeed in their mission as teacher-scholars. He will be a wonderful colleague in the department and we sincerely look forward to having him here with us.