Chemistry

Join organic chemistry students in the lab for a fly-on-the-wall experience of their investigations, collaboration, and antics.

On the thirtieth anniversary of the Grinnell Science Project, the Student Assistants of GSP reflect on community, confidence, and becoming ambassadors to their peers.

Clark Lindgren, Keisuke Hasegawa, Pascal Lafontant, Vida Praitis, Josh Sandquist, and Mark Levandoski were awarded the NSF Major Research Instrumentation grant to purchase a laser scanning confocal microscope, a breakthrough in the research capabilities of faculty and students throughout the sciences at Grinnell.

Bioorganic Chemistry (CHM 330) focuses on enzymes, proteins that are catalysts within cells. This in-depth study of enzymes allows you to explore advanced biochemistry, applying principles and techniques you learned in organic chemistry to the study of biological reactions.

Organic Chemistry I (CHM 221) is a collaborative course in which you work with other students during labs to practice teamwork, study scientific concepts, and support one another. The course focuses on structures, reactions, synthesis, and spectroscopy of compounds. You will familiarize yourself with procedures, practice documentation, and gain hands-on experience with tools and materials used in a chemistry lab.

Professor of Chemistry Mark Levandoski has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Re-Entry to Active Research program grant of $123,674 (CHE-2204419) to help him reengage in his academic research after a four-year period serving as one of the College’s associate deans and interim registrar. NSF funding will help him to expand his skillset and apply new techniques to understanding the mechanism of the receptors by learning a computational research approach called molecular dynamics.

Jennifer Fulton ’15 is living her dream as a principal scientist in medicinal chemistry at Cogent Biosciences, and it all began at Grinnell. 

Aquatic Geochemistry (CHM 340) is a thought-provoking combination of readings, classroom discussion, and hands-on learning. The course explores the chemical processes that control freshwater and marine systems.

The Goldwater Scholarship Program, one of the oldest and most prominent national scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics in the United States, seeks to identify and support college sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise to become this nation’s next generation of research leaders in their fields.

Molecular architects find inspiration from nature for clues to designing new chemical compounds. Danforth lecture: Putting Atoms in their Place One Bond at a Time.