| Interim Chairperson: |
Colleen M. Taylor Box 9078
147 Hunter-McDaniel
804-524-5481
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| Professors: |
Godwin Mbagwu |
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| Associate Professors: |
Ralph Gatrone
Colleen Taylor
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| Assistant Professors: |
Florence Etop
Victor Vilchiz
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| Instructors: |
Crystal Baird
Keith Dias
Srinivas Peddi
Cecily Smith
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| Adjunct Faculty: |
Olufemi Oyesanya
Dorothy Eseonu |
| Administrative Assistant: |
Fran Thomas
Office 804-524-5438
FAX 804-524-5439 |
Description of Department
The Department of Chemistry and Physics offers courses leading to the B.S. degree in chemistry and to the B.S.degree in physics. The chemistry program prepares students for employment as professional chemists; for further study in graduate schools; for professional training in medicine, dentistry and/or pharmacy; and for secondary school science teaching. The physics program prepares students employment as professional physicists, for engineering positions, for graduate study in physics and related areas, and for secondary school science teaching. Students and faculty participate in local and national professional chemistry and physics organizations.
Read the >Chair's message<.
Mission of the Department
The Department's mission is to provide quality and challenging academic programs in chemistry and physics. Additionally, the Department seeks to advance the knowledge of chemistry and physics through research and to promote the understanding of chemistry and physics through offering appropriate courses to meet a variety of student needs.
Read the Department's >5-year plan<.
General Objectives
The Department of Chemistry and Physics will:
- Provide the basic training preparing students to become competent professional chemistry and physicists.
- Help students gain knowledge and develop the necessary skills to study chemistry or physics at the doctorate level.
- Prepare students to become secondary school teachers of chemistry or physics.
- Promote research and engage in research activities to advance knowledge.
- Provide appropriate courses for all students seeking or requiring knowledge of chemistry and/or physics.
The Programs
The Chemistry Programs
The Chemistry Major prepares students for further training at the graduate level, professional or medical programs or to perform a variety of functions as scientists in industry and government. The major has four concentrations or options,Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pre-Pharm and Endorsement in Education. A forensics option is currently under revision.
The Chemistry Concentration is most flexible and is recommended for students entering industrial positions or considering graduate school in chemistry. Students working under this option should select restricted and free electives appropriate for their intended focus area. The Biochemistry option prepares students to enter professional or graduate schools focused on the health-related sciences. The Pre-Pharmacy option is an accelerated course of study that prepares students for further study in the School of Pharmacy at Howard University where they can finish their BS degree while beginning their pharmacy program. The student will earn a B.S. degree in chemistry from Virginia State University and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Howard University. The Endorsement on Education in Chemistry prepares students to become teachers in secondary schools.
The Physics Programs:
The Physics Major provides basic training for those who plan to enter employment as physicists immediately upon graduation or to pursue graduate study. The Physics degree with a minor in secondary education prepares students to become teachers in secondary schools. The Engineering Physics option is designed to prepare students for careers in engineering and/or advanced study in engineering schools. The Biological Physics option is designed to prepare students for careers in health science fields and advanced study in graduate school with research in the biological physics area.
Virginia State University is one of the three founding members of the Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA), which has grown to include 41 universities from across the Southeast. SURA operates the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, located in Newport News, Virginia, for the Department of Energy.
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