Department of Chemistry
Fuel your curiosity and absorb knowledge in OU’s Department of Chemistry. Interact with world-class faculty. Bond with like-minded peers.
The Department of Chemistry offers a full curriculum in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Environmental Science, with an emphasis on advancing chemical education and research. Research participation at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral level is a distinctive part of the Department's activity.
The department is housed in the Mathematics and Science Center (MSC) with advanced research and teaching laboratory facilities equipped with modern instrumentation.
Transcript
Sarah Denha, Ph.D. Student Department of Chemistry
The Research: SpinoCerebellar Ataxia Type five is a rare neurodegenerative disease that causes neuron degeneration in the cerebellum.
It causes uncoordinated body movements, slurred speech and abnormal eye movements.
The Focus: Researchers like Sarah and Dr. Avery are focused on understanding how mutations in a protein called β-III-spectrin lead to the development of the disease.
The Science: To study this disease, Avery’s Lab uses fruit flies as a model to understand the impact of β-III-spectrin mutations on the dendritic arborization of neurons.
Dendritic arborization is a process by which neurons create new synapses vital to healthy brain activity and function.
Healthy neuron, diseased neuron.
The Goal: Researchers hope to discover the mechanism by how these mutations cause the disease so they can create treatments and eventually cure the disease.
The OU Pledge
The OU Pledge is the university’s commitment to providing undergraduate students with the opportunity for meaningful, hands-on learning.
Students majoring in Chemistry and Biochemistry in the Department of Chemistry engage in experiential learning through their participation in research, teaching, and membership in professional organizations.
- Undergraduate research opportunities and fellowships in cutting-edge laboratories
- Opportunities as paid teaching assistants
- Membership in the American Chemical Society and participation with the local OU ACS chapter.
- Opportunities to present research at local and national professional conferences.
- Coursework in CHM/BCM 4995 & 4996 (Independent Research)
Students majoring in Environmental Science in the Department of Chemistry engage in experiential learning through their participation in research, teaching, field work, and internships.
- Undergraduate research opportunities and fellowships in cutting-edge laboratories
- Opportunities as paid teaching assistants
- Field work in apiculture, permaculture, field biology, field botany, and tropical field ecology.
- Participation in field trips to local nature preserves, and aquatic and geological sites of environmental relevance.
- Coursework in ENV 4950 (Environmental Science Internship) that involves a part-time internship in local industry, government, or academia.
Department of Chemistry
146 Library Drive
Rochester, , MI 48309-4479
(location map)
(248) 370-2320
fax: 370-2321