Prospective Students

Jordan Gunn '09 and Amanda Stegeman '08 purify protein while doing research with Professors Maria Dean and Tom Tauer. Both participated in Coe's Carver Program, which enabled them to get involved in research before their first year at Coe.

What’s different about chemistry at Coe? There are many good liberal arts colleges which offer small classes and solid instruction in chemistry. Why should you take a closer look at Coe if you’re interested in chemistry?

1. The quality and quantity of undergraduate research. All of Coe’s chemistry faculty carry out research with undergraduate students. This research is supported by competitive grants from the National Science Foundation, Research Corporation, the Petroleum Research Fund of the American Chemical Society as well as by contracts with the city of Cedar Rapids, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Eighteen students did research in chemistry during the summer of 2005; these students received stipends and free housing while they worked with Coe faculty on projects ranging from synthesizing new molecules to understanding the production of marine bio-cement. Approximately 45 students did research in the science building over the summer, which emphasizes Coe's commitment to undergraduate research.

   Coe is one of the smallest institutions in the nation to receive a National Science Foundation-Research Experience for Undergraduates grant. NSF-REU grants "involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects designed especially for the purpose." These grants typically are awarded to large research universities. Coe's program, which is in cooperation with our physics department, brings in students from across the nation to do research at Coe.

   What does this mean for you as a prospective student? When you graduate from Coe with a degree in chemistry, the graduate or professional schools you apply to will take note of your experiences in research. Your employer will notice that you have used a remarkable variety of instruments. These types of experiences make a difference.

2. ACS certified. The American Chemical Society sets standards for undergraduate degrees in chemistry, and only departments that meet their standards can offer "ACS-certified" degrees. Coe meets and exceeds these standards. You can find out about those standards, and find out what schools meet them, at the American Chemical Society’s Committee on Professional Training web site.
   
   
3. Hands-on with the latest and best instrumentation ("This is not your parents’ chemistry course.") The faculty is constantly looking for ways to provide students with opportunities to get their hands on state-of-the-art instrumentation. In the past ten years, we have acquired approximately $1,000,000 worth of instrumentation. We have no graduate teaching assistants that run samples for you – you’ll use the instruments yourself. You’ll have opportunities to use mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and much more!

Scholarship and Fellowship Opportunities

Each year, the College awards Science Scholarships to exceptional students who plan to major in the natural sciences. To obtain information about the annual competition, contact the Office of Admission.