<p>Could anyone please speak to Hamilton's strength/weakness in the science department? Would it be a bad idea to pursue a chem/physics major at Ham over doing so at a larger research university or tech school?</p>
<p>I’d recommend that you flip your perspective as an exercise. As in, “Would it be a bad idea to pursue a chem/physics major at a large research university, over doing so at Hamilton where I will have full access to the primary faculty?”</p>
<p>A few Hamilton specifics to consider:</p>
<p>–The College invests as much or more in the sciences as in any other department. The science building is both state-of-the-art and beautiful.</p>
<p>-- Both the number of faculty in the sciences and their accomplishments are impressive, particularly when compared to the size of the student body. Many science majors will do research, and may publish as an author or coauthor. </p>
<p>-- Hamilton graduated a Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry and an Apker award winner (physics). All doors will be open to you.</p>
<p>-- The College has an honor code. You can pursue your interests in a cooperative environment. </p>
<p>My last recommendation would be to talk to a few chem/physics majors currently at Hamilton. Ideally they will also respond in this forum. I think they would be forthcoming regarding any drawbacks of their own decision.</p>
<p>Wishing you success! </p>
<p>One of the newest buildings on campus at Hamilton is the Taylor Science Center. Among top ranked LACs, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better or more beautiful facility. You should definitely compare it to other schools. Maybe it’'s not for you or you’ll find a research university more suited to your goals, but it should definitely be in the running.</p>
<p>I know they run Science Center only tours on occasion. Check with Admissions to see when they offer them - I think it might be Friday afternoon.</p>
<p>I should correct a mistake I made on a nontrivial matter. The Nobel Prize winner I was thinking of is Paul Greengard, who won in Physiology or Medicine, not Chemistry. He concentrated in mathematics and physics at Hamilton. </p>
<p>I included a poorly worded sentence in my original post. Let it read: “The College invests as much, or more, in the sciences, in relation to any other academic department.”</p>
<p>Thanks @merc81 and @MrMom62!</p>