<p>Which has the better chemistry department UNC-CH or Davidson College? Better research opportunities?</p>
<p>As a former Chem major I would say UNC. They encourage every chem major to do research with one of the many highly qualified profs. Not that it is relevant, but the Chancellor was a chem prof at UNC previously.</p>
<p>Definitely UNC. No contest. I'm sure there are people on the site that can give you concrete reasons why, but I just can't think of them at the moment.</p>
<p>Although I'm a big Carolina fan, I'm going to swim against the current and say Davidson is <em>excellent</em> for chemistry. Have you visited? The science buildings are surprisingly well-equipped for a LAC and quite well-maintained (each major gets a lab work station and, I think, fume hood). Davidson strongly urges all undergraduates to complete research, particularly in the sciences, and they have a poster session each spring.</p>
<p>One of my chem major friends at Davidson went to Cyprus for free with her professor to do archaeochemical analysis on an excavation. Sounds pretty awesome to me!</p>
<p>You're asking this question in the UNC-CH forum. What do you think we are going to say? Best bet is to go in an unbiased neutral forum and ask. </p>
<p>BUT UNC IS BETTER. :)</p>
<p>I feel like UNC-CH is more well known as a research institution. While Davidson is certainly respected in N.C. and surrounding states, I don't know that it's as recognized in other regions of the country, and that's something to keep in mind for job searching.</p>
<p>Also, I don't know why anyone would pay substantially more money to attend a school that arguably either is on an equal playing field or isn't quite as excellent..</p>
<p>
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Also, I don't know why anyone would pay substantially more money to attend a school that arguably either is on an equal playing field or isn't quite as excellent..
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I don't see how that's at all relevant. There are most likely people at Davidson who are paying the same or less than they would at UNC. With financial aid, I had several options that were cheaper than in-state UNC. As a plus, Davidson is loan-free. </p>
<p>I will promote UNC vigorously (I have in other posts), but don't underrate Davidson. The student body is stronger, and academics are as good as Carolina's.</p>
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I don't know that it's as recognized in other regions of the country, and that's something to keep in mind for job searching.
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Be practical. What can the OP do with a BS in chemistry? Not very much, except perhaps work as a lab tech. He is most likely going to need a MS, in which case his undergraduate college matters very little.</p>
<p>sr_at-last</p>
<p>Take a look at the two departments, the respective faculties and their CVs (resumes), courses offered etc then decide for yourself which school can offer you more.</p>
<p>UNC</a> Chemistry</p>
<p>About</a> Us</p>
<p>The</a> Chemistry Department @ Davidson College</p>
<p>I posted links to both the UNC Chem department and the undergrad section since it is a direct comparison to Davidson. Interestingly, 5 of the 10 faculty members at Davidson have some of their education taken at UNC including three of their Ph.D's.</p>
<p>IBclass06 - I think monetary concerns are completely relevant--money was the main reason I ended up at Carolina as opposed to another private school (and for what it's worth, I'm so glad I did!). Obviously if the OP is receiving significant financial aid this decision will be a lot harder. I was just trying to point out that UNC is absolutely a better VALUE if money is a concern.</p>