About the DepartmentDepartment of Chemistry
The Chemistry curriculum is designed to function as an integral part of the liberal arts program of the College. The courses taken in normal sequence bring the student from general principles through advanced theories to the practical applications of research and industry. Science and non-science majors thus begin together and proceed to a level appropriate for their chosen program.
Course Catalog Faculty and Staff Declare a Major
Current Student Information
Find the tutoring schedule, information on student employment, the stockroom policies, safety protocols, the Gustavus Computational Chemistry Server, and Chemistry course syllabi.
In remembrance of Dr. Ian Hill
The Gustavus Adolphus College community was deeply saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of Professor Ian Hill on December 28, 2024. Read a tribute to Professor Hill.
Chemistry Placement Exam
A placement exam determines which general chemistry course students may register for. Information about the placement exam for incoming Gustavus students and current students may be found here.
Four-Year Plans
The Chemistry Department strongly encourages students to follow these plans when scheduling courses due to class and lab times as well as course content.
Chemistry Department Student Work Opportunities
There are numerous opportunities for students to work in the Chemistry Department. Go to Handshake to apply for these positions.
Lab Teaching Assistant (TA)
TAs are present during each of the labs to assist students. An important function of the TA during lab is to actively engage students, model safe practices and provide a line of communication between the student and the instructor. At the end of each lab period, the TA is responsible for making sure that equipment is turned off and that the students leave the lab space clean. Most TA positions involve some amount of grading.
Lecture Teaching Assistant (TA)
This position often includes tutoring students and attending lecture on designated workshop days. Some Lecture TA positions involve grading.
Grader
Graders help out in many areas of the chemistry program. Graders may be assigned to grade lab notebooks, lab reports, spectra or exams. Instructors provide detailed grading rubrics and Moodle training.
Tutor
As a tutor, you will work with students who need help with homework or need clarification of lecture or lab concepts. Students in all CHE courses are welcome to visit the Tutor Room. The most important function of a tutor is to make sure that all students receive the help they need. Depending on current campus regulations, this will be in-person or online.
Stockroom Worker
Students working in the stockroom do a variety of tasks that assist in the functioning of the entire lab program, especially the introductory sequence of labs. Your responsibilities may include helping set up and take down experiment equipment and chemicals, preparing solutions, keeping labs and storage spaces clean and organized, restocking supplies throughout the department, maintaining chemical inventories, running errands, and washing glassware.
Office Assistant
As an Office Assistant, you may be asked to help out with word processing, data entry, copying, scanning, picking up and distributing mail and packages, posting department flyers, updating bulletin boards, running errands, and completing other miscellaneous tasks.
Dishwasher
As a dishwasher, you will wash the dishes associated with lab courses. You will be trained in the washing of glassware and other items associated with those respective labs. You will wash dishes, put away the dry, clean dishes, fill the water carboys, among other things during your shift. Dishwashing will be required for most weeks during the semester, but the number and type of dishes will vary.
Lab Steward
As a lab steward, you will help us in the weekly maintenance of our lab spaces. This will include emptying the Roombas, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning cabinets, laundry and other tasks as needed. You will be trained in what needs to be done in each space. This shift will occur each week, but the tasks to be done will vary.
Lab Development
As needed. This position will work on developing labs for various CHE courses. Your schedule will be determined based on availability and will be range in hours needed to complete the task.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Statement
An open letter from the faculty and staff of the Chemistry Department (Nov. 6, 2020): The Department of Chemistry at Gustavus Adolphus College recognizes and condemns the long history of violence and oppression that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) have suffered. Among other forms of systemic racism, scientists have been complicit in creating a system that advantages white people in STEM disciplines and in health care. The very land our Department uses was stolen by force and by broken treaty from the original caretakers, the people of the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ nations. We acknowledge that our Department has not always lived up to our goals related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we have often been slow to respond to an unfair and often hostile environment for BIPOC and other minoritized people. We must and will do better. We must strive to dismantle the oppressive structures of racism and other forms of injustice, both within our Department and more broadly.
Guided by the Gustavus mission statement, the Chemistry Department strives to provide a supportive and open learning environment. We need to address issues affecting students from underrepresented and marginalized racial and ethnic groups, and also students from other marginalized groups based upon socioeconomic status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, dis/ability, place of origin, citizen status, veteran status, age, and/or status as a first-generation college student. We commit to respect the dignity, individuality, and freedom of each community member while providing a place where individuals and groups learn from each other. We aim to create an environment for learning, teaching, and conducting research in which all people are treated with respect and dignity and no person is discriminated against or harassed. Our goal is to support each of our students in their pursuit of achieving excellence.
While it is important to support our students with a letter such as this, if our words are not followed by changes in Department actions, then we have failed. To that end, the Chemistry Department has committed to a strategic review and planning process in which we first identify and examine our biggest challenges. During this process, we will gather data and feedback from all stakeholders, especially past and current Chemistry students. We will set specific goals and take specific actions that make our Department more inclusive for students, faculty, and staff. Although that strategic planning process will take time, we commit to the following near-term actions:
- To work with the administration to continue the implicit bias training for student employees that was launched in spring 2020.
- To seek increased professional development for faculty and staff on DEIB issues. This includes, for example, discussing and implementing ideas from research on inclusive teaching practices and attending trainings, workshops, and conferences on issues related to inclusive excellence.
- To highlight the scientific contributions of BIPOC and other minoritized groups in the field of chemistry.
- To promote racial justice in our broader scientific communities. While serving on grant review boards and participating in professional societies, for example, we will leverage our leadership roles and professional networks to foster the inclusion of scientists from minoritized groups.
- To create open and welcoming spaces where we can listen to students whose voices are frequently unheard. One example will be the establishment of open office hours for students, faculty, and staff to identify, discuss, or report challenges related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, or any other areas of concern.
- To create a means for regular communication with students about our progress on these goals.