We offer small classes, lots of interaction with professors and research opportunities that at many institutions would be limited to graduate students. All of our faculty are engaged in research that incorporates meaningful participation by undergraduates. You can pursue a degree in chemistry or biochemistry with professional certification from the American Chemical Society in either one. We also offer an interdisciplinary major in biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology — a popular choice for pre-med students because it covers most of the requirements for the Medical College Admissions Test. Most of our chemistry majors go on graduate programs in the sciences or professional programs in health-related fields.
Research opportunities
You have many opportunities for research through coursework and summer internships on and off campus. Areas of faculty research include antibiotic biosynthesis and resistance, mechanisms of firefly bioluminescence, computational analysis of fluorescent proteins, organic synthesis of biologically important natural products, and investigations on porous nanoparticles. Work is funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Henry and Camille Dreyfus Foundation, The Research Corp. for Science Advancement, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research and the National Science Foundation. Many students co-author papers with faculty and present their work at major seminars.
Special opportunities
Our faculty have taken students to study away or conduct research in South Africa, Italy, across the U.S. and in Puerto Rico. You might intern at a local hospital or biotech company, including Pfizer Inc. in nearby Groton, Conn. Special lectures are frequently given on campus by visiting researchers.
Learn more about Connections, Connecticut College's innovative new curriculum.
A Glimpse at Chemistry
Courses You Could Take
CHM 204 Inorganic Chemistry
Basic principles of inorganic chemistry. Topics include descriptive inorganic chemistry, structure and bonding, transition metal coordination chemistry, and more.
CHM 300 Medicinal Chemistry
The chemical, physical and biological principles involved in the discovery, design, synthesis and assessment of several representative classes of medicinal agents.
CHM 307 Chemical Thermodynamics
Development of chemical thermodynamics and its applications to a variety of chemical systems such as phase and reaction equilibria.
CHM 401 Organic Spectroscopic Methods
Lecture topics include infrared, ultraviolet, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy as used in the identification of organic compounds.
CHM 216 Environmental Chemistry
Atmospheric chemistry, tropospheric chemistry and stratospheric ozone will be covered.
CHM 303 Biochemistry
This course deals with biomolecules, discussing enzyme kinetics and the structure and function of amino acids, proteins, saccharides, lipids, vitamins and coenzymes.
Stan Ching has taught a wide variety of chemistry courses, including lectures and laboratories for General Chemistry, Advanced General Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry and Instrumental Methods of Analysis. He has also taught the Molecular Science course for non-science majors. As part of his teaching, he also mentors students in research projects through independent study, honors study and summer research.
Gunnar Hansen
Visiting Lecturer of Chemistry
Adam Kleman
Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor of Chemistry
Yangyi Liu
Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor of Chemistry
Timo V. Ovaska
Hans & Ella McCollum '21 Vahlteich Professor of Chemistry
Timo Ovaska centers his research on organic synthesis, a process that allows chemists to prepare complex materials in a rational fashion from simple precursors. In 2011, Pfizer scientist and '99 alumnus Jamie Tuttle and his colleague won a "Green Chemistry Award," and chose to donate the monetary portion of the award to Ovaska, who planned to use it to fund undergraduate student stipends for research in his lab.
Tanya L. Schneider
Hans and Ella McCollum ’21 Vahlteich Associate Professor of Chemistry, Chair of the Chemistry Department
Tanya Schneider's research interests broadly include the biosynthesis and molecular recognition of natural products, with a current focus on antibiotics and bacterial quorum sensing molecules. Her undergraduate research group uses techniques from chemistry, molecular biology and biochemistry to consider new routes to mitigate the problem of antibiotic resistance.
Jacob Stewart
Associate Professor of Chemistry, Assistant Chair of the Chemistry Department
Jacob Stewart's research is focused on better understanding the chemistry of Earth’s atmosphere. He uses the tool of laser spectroscopy to measure the amount and the properties of important atmospheric molecules — in particular, biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), which are naturally occurring molecules emitted by plants into the atmosphere. Even though these species are only present in small amounts in the atmosphere, they have a significant impact on atmospheric processes which affect climate change and air pollution.
Donald Wolanin
Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor of Chemistry
Donald J. Wolanin, Ph.D., is an accomplished educator and research professional, blending a distinguished academic journey with a substantial pharmaceutical background. He holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry from Harvard University in addition to a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Chicago. Dr. Wolanin's early career featured roles as Head Teaching Fellow at Harvard and several research positions at ICI Pharmaceuticals Group (now Astra-Zeneca). At Bayer Corporation, he progressed from Senior Staff Scientist to Director of Research, showcasing expertise in research management and strategic program support. His contributions span preclinical development in diverse therapeutic areas, including cancer, arthritis, and diabetes. Transitioning to academia, he became an Adjunct Faculty Member at several institutions, teaching Chemistry with a focus on practical applications. Committed to education, he consistently exhibits a passion for fostering learning environments and advancing scientific progress.
Marc Zimmer
Jean C. Tempel '65 Professor of Chemistry
Marc Zimmer teaches general chemistry, molecular science and environmental chemistry. He has tried to make these courses relevant and interesting by introducing the most recent developments in general, medicinal and environmental chemistry in his classes.
A: I was drawn by the sense of community. Of the many colleges I toured, no school felt quite the same. This feeling has endured through my years here as I have built close relationships with my peers, professors and advisers.
Q: What is it like to study science at Connecticut College?
A: The most rewarding part is the accomplished, dedicated and inspiring faculty. It is obvious that students are the No. 1 priority, one of the great advantages of our small school. For example, my biochemistry professor often varies her curriculum to accommodate a question or a particular interest a student may have.
Q: Describe your first student-faculty research experience.
A: In my freshman year, I studied nanostructured manganese oxides with Professor Ching. I was able to work independently a majority of the time, which made research a very rewarding and often exciting experience.
Q: What role has the Hale Center for Career Development played in your career planning?
A: My career adviser has constantly given me the support and inspiration I needed to apply to medical school. My counselor and the career office are truly amazing resources for internships, jobs and everyday advice.
Connecticut College Chemistry Department 270 Mohegan Avenue New London, CT 06320
Campus Location
Hale 101
Department Assistant
Danielle Fontaine
Why Chemistry?
Student Interview
Yumi Kovic
Student Interview
Q: Why Connecticut College?
A: I was drawn by the sense of community. Of the many colleges I toured, no school felt quite the same. This feeling has endured through my years here as I have built close relationships with my peers, professors and advisers.
Q: What is it like to study science at Connecticut College?
A: The most rewarding part is the accomplished, dedicated and inspiring faculty. It is obvious that students are the No. 1 priority, one of the great advantages of our small school. For example, my biochemistry professor often varies her curriculum to accommodate a question or a particular interest a student may have.
Q: Describe your first student-faculty research experience.
A: In my freshman year, I studied nanostructured manganese oxides with Professor Ching. I was able to work independently a majority of the time, which made research a very rewarding and often exciting experience.
Q: What role has the Hale Center for Career Development played in your career planning?
A: My career adviser has constantly given me the support and inspiration I needed to apply to medical school. My counselor and the career office are truly amazing resources for internships, jobs and everyday advice.
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