Chem & Biochem Again Shows Program Excellence

American Chemical Society approves department for 40th year

(Photo by Christa McConnell)

Andrews University’s Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry has once again received the American Chemical Society’s approval as a department that meets the ACS Guidelines of program excellence.

The ACS is the world’s largest scientific organization to which around 160,000 individual chemists belong. According to David Nowack, department chair, there are approximately 3,000 colleges in the United States that provide chemistry degrees. Of those 3,000 colleges, 682 have ACS approved programs. Along with being one of 682 approved programs, Andrews continues to remain the only Seventh-day Adventist institution to be approved.

The department was first granted approval in 1976, making this school year its 40th anniversary of exceptional program performance.

“This is a testimony to the University’s commitment to excellence,” said Nowack.

According to the official letter of approval, the American Chemical Society’s Committee on Professional Training commended the significant renovation of Halenz Hall, the investment of new instrumentation, and the positive atmosphere for the promotion of research and skill-growth of chemistry majors in the department.

“It demonstrates that we have a quality program,” says Nowack. “Students of chemistry and biochemistry can have confidence they are getting an outstanding education here at Andrews.”

In hopes of maintaining approval in the future, Nowack explained his goals to improve the department over the next few years. The next steps include further developing the curriculum and creating an internship co-op program.

“The co-op is a dream of mine,” says Nowack, “to give students the industry job experience necessary to get that extra edge in applying for the next level, whether that be a job, career or graduate school. Having internship experience is incredibly valuable,” said Nowack.

The department has also received praise from other faculty members over the recent report of continued approval.

“This is an endorsement that contributes to the excellent reputation of the Andrews University STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) departments,” says Keith Mattingly, dean of the Andrews University College of Arts & Sciences. “This kind of news is unique in the Adventist world of higher education.”

For more information on applying to the chemistry and biochemistry program at Andrews, visit andrews.edu/cas/chemistry, email chemistry@andrews.edu or call 269-471-3247.