Yes, I do mean large and active. I’ve been researching LACs off and on since my son, who will be graduating next year, entered high school. Of course, practically all offer the degree, but most issue very few each year, less than 10. I’ve identified a handful of LACs with large chemistry departments relative to student population (see below). The assumption is that the more degrees issued the better the department: facilities and larger faculty with diverse research interests. This may not be entirely true, but the converse seems more likely, a department issuing very few, under 10 per year, would have fewer resources, faculty and variety of courses. That being said - I would like to hear other points of view as my narrow selection criterion may have filtered out an ideal option. I want to be thorough.
He’s certain that he wants to attend a traditional (with regard to breadth of courses and degrees offered) LAC of around 3000 or less. Due to dyslexia he struggles with reading / writing, but appreciates a wide range of viewpoints and approaches to life and doesn’t want to bury himself in a narrow science / tech culture for 4 years. Also due to the diagnosis, he’s struggled to keep you his grades, but has managed to maintain a solid A- to B+ average and will be graduating with an IB diploma. Therefor, highly selective LACs aren’t being considered.
Please, review my list and add to it if I’ve overlooked a LAC for a B+ IB student with a truly awesome chemistry department. Thank you!
THE LIST
St Olaf College (may be too selective)
Gustavus Adolphus
Wooster
University of Minnesota - Morris
Kalamazoo
College of the Holy Cross (may be too selective)
Muhlenberg
Juniata ?
St Norbert’s (assistant principal is an alumnus and advocates - also just completed new science building)
Knox ?
Beloit ? (Chem-links leader, but only 9 diplomas issued 2014)
Strong LAC chem departments that I’ve seen usually have a half dozen or more full time professors. Schools with over ~2000 students should be expected to have more.
Your list looks very good. Maybe take a look at: Saint John Fisher (Rochester, NY), Wofford (Spartanburg, SC), Allegheny (PA), Ursinus (PA), Hobart (NY), Washington College (MD), Wheaton (IL), Canisius (Buffalo, NY), Stonehill (Easton, MA)
I was very impressed by the Chem department at Skidmore when we visited. Seemed to be among the most active of the physical sciences there. They have a bunch of super fancy microscopes, and it seemed like lots of kids were involved in undergrad research. According to http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/, they had 15 majors last year.
I agree with other posters, however, in that you’ve already identified some great candidates. I’m very high on St. Olaf, Kalamazoo and Wooster, know less about the others. 61 Chem majors last year at St. Olaf! That’s remarkable!
merc81, I agree … and a range of interests. Since biochemistry is hot, I’ve noted that a few small campuses have hired too many biochem faculty. This is a mistake in my opinion … for various reasons.
rayrick: Skidmore does look impressive and should be added to the list. College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics is my new best friend I was so surprised at the large number of chem majors at St Olaf that I checked the previous year … 60!
Eckerd College has 2 degree programs ACS certified, new lab facilities, 9 full time faculty members and 4 emeritus. The mentor relationship with the students is very strong. Students are able to participate in research as freshman, present at symposiums and to publish. All students are assigned academic peer mentors in addition to the professor/mentor.
@ECmotherx2 Thank you for the suggestion. Eckerd meets the requirements except for location, which I didn’t mention in my post. He prefers cold weather …
Sorry @mreapoe, I should have realized that from your list of schools! Have you and your son visited Kalamazoo? It is mentioned in the book by Loren Pope, “Colleges That Change Lives”. My friends daughter graduated from there and was quite happy with the level of education. Best of luck to him.
If you’re looking for colder climates I have to second the recommendation for Scranton. Not the most exciting city, but the school is strong and the science building is amazing. Just realize that with it being a Jesuit school, there will be strong core course commitments. Personally I think that’s a great selling point,but some science types balk at taking too many non-science courses. (Also please note that Jesuit schools, while Catholic, are the most open and welcoming Catholic schools and anyone, even those with no particular faith, should be able to feel comfortable there).
Not sure if you consider these schools too competitive or not but Lafayette College, Union College and Franklin & Marshall and all excellent in the sciences.
I was so surprised at the large number of chem majors at St Olaf that I checked the previous year … 60!