Contact Us

Please direct questions and comments to Kristy Skogerboe, the department chairperson, at skogerbo@seattleu.edu.

About the Department

The Chemistry Department offers degree programs in chemistry and biochemistry that are approved by the American Chemical Society. Students with these degrees have entered graduate or professional programs in medicine, dentistry, chemistry, biochemistry, environmental chemistry, wood products chemistry, genetic counseling, materials science, chemical life sciences, and others. Graduates have embarked on professional careers in industries related to health care, clinical analysis, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biochemistry, environmental chemistry, biotechnology, nutrition, and biochemical informatics, to name a few.

Our students benefit from the department's dedication to its mission and from the capstone experience that initiates with a seminar course in which students develop a research plan designed to tackle a modern problem in chemistry or biochemistry. In subsequent quarters, students address questions raised in their plan by performing research in collaboration with a faculty mentor or with one of several local companies. The experience culminates with a seminar course in which written and oral presentations of the research are shared by all.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Chemistry Department is to prepare its students for productive careers within the broad confines of the chemistry-related professions. In accordance with the mission of Seattle University, we promote the habits needed for life-long learning and encourage the sharing of abilities in service to the community. 

The faculty and staff of the Chemistry Department have a love of teaching and learning, a strong sense of community, and a broad range of scientific interests. Through close interaction between faculty, students and staff, our department functions as a dynamic community of diverse learners and researchers at various stages of scholarly development. Together, we strive to develop capabilities in science, and enhance our understanding of learning processes and our ability to work collaboratively. 

We strive to create:

• A strong learning experience for students that results in knowledge and competence in their major, chemistry or biochemistry, with strong basic foundations in mathematics, physics, and biology, and with broad perspectives in the humanities and social sciences.
• A strong, collaborative research or internship experience for students with faculty or external professionals that results in understanding and practicing of the scientific method and the formal presentation of research results at departmental, local or national professional meetings and/or in journals. 
• A cooperative and stimulating environment shared by students and faculty that encourages continued scholarly growth, aided by the process of assessment, and results in consistent improvement of learning skills toward the goals of life-long learning and the development of a habit of scholarship. 
• Enriching experiences for students that develop professional attitudes, behaviors, and skills so graduates are prepared for productive careers in their professions. 
• A rich variety of opportunities for all department members to involve themselves in service, so that leadership in service becomes a way of living. We encourage a process of mindful reflection as a way to promote growth as effective leaders for a just and humane world.
  
• Opportunities for faculty to engage in a rich variety of activities that develop themselves as teacher-scholars and practicing scientists, so that their enthusiasm for teaching and discovery provides role models for students.

Contacts