{"id":8781,"date":"2026-02-09T15:56:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T20:56:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/?page_id=8781"},"modified":"2026-04-09T16:43:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T20:43:14","slug":"chemistry-and-biochemistry","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/majors-and-minors\/chemistry-and-biochemistry\/","title":{"rendered":"Chemistry and Biochemistry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Visit the full Chemistry and Biochemistry site<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry focuses on teaching, learning, and scholarship within chemistry and intersecting disciplines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Students will develop an understanding of the foundational theories of chemistry, apply these theories to the practice of reasoning from evidence, and learn to appreciate the role of science in society.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
Contact Us<\/h5>\n\t

Thomas Pinette, Academic Administrative Assistant
\n45 Campus Avenue
\nBonney Science Center
\n Phone: 207-755-5928\n<\/span>tpinette@bates.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

What You Will Learn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"garnet<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
To develop and apply the foundational theories of chemistry and biochemistry<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"garnet<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
How to analyze experimental approaches and data analysis from scientific literature in order to understand how we gain new knowledge<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"garnet<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
To communicate with both scientific audiences and the general population, both orally and through written work<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"garnet<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
How to examine scientific work through the lens of society and populations with variable amounts of power and privilege<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"garnet<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
To conduct original research in a capstone course or a research lab<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"garnet<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
To understand science as a human activity practiced by a collaborative and diverse community<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div><\/span>
\n

<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Life After Bates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many majors go on to earn graduate degrees in chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, molecular biology, or microbiology. Students are well-prepared for professional post-graduate, health-related study in medical school, nursing school, veterinary school, dental school, and public health. Recent grads work in fields related to healthcare, consulting, pharmaceutical research and development, biotech, materials, and energy, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

94%<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

of 2020-2024 Bates graduates are employed and\/or attending graduate school \u2014 settled into their next opportunity within 6 months of graduation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

” Looking back, I felt exceptionally well-prepared for medical school and my subsequent career in surgery following my degree in biological chemistry from Bates. Throughout my education, I was challenged academically in a manner that made me think critically and required a deep understanding of the subject matter well beyond simple memorization. These skills were invaluable as I made my way through the rigorous curriculum of medical school. My education at Bates was capped by my honors thesis, which I performed under the mentorship of Paula Schlax. I still consider my thesis experience, from study design and lab work through a presentation in Washington, D.C., and manuscript preparation, the start of my career as an academic surgeon.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 Nicholas Swerdlow \u201909<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
Selected Places of Employment\/Service<\/h6>\n\n\n\n