Our Mission

Our mission is to provide students with a scientific knowledge and experimental skills necessary for a career in chemistry or related fields. This web site is a resource for current and prospective students, professors, alumni and anybody interested in learning about our degree programs, current research projects, careers in chemistry, profiles of some of our graduates, summer research and internships opportunities, chemistry related jobs in Des Moines and other aspects of the chemistry department and the sciences at Drake University. Thank you for your interest in learning about us.

Chemistry Department News

Professor Gholam Mirafzal received the 2011 Madelyn Levitt Mentor Award.
Professor Gholam Mirafzal is the recipient of the 2011 Madelyn Levitt Mentor Award, which recognizes faculty and staff who exhibit outstanding commitment to student success in and out of the classroom, as well as integrity in personal relationships. (5/17/2011)

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Commencement 2011, Congratulations Chemistry majors
Drake welcomed more than 1,400 new members to the alumni network on May 14, following the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree commencement ceremonies held in the Knapp Center. (5/14/2011)

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Commencement 2011
Drake University Student Body President Samantha Haas, a senior environmental science and chemistry double major, recently received the Oreon E. Scott Award in recognition of her excellence in scholarship, leadership, service and involvement. This prestigious award is presented annually to the outstanding senior at Drake. As the recipient of the award, Samantha Haas was one of the featured speakers at the 130th Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony. (5/14/2011)

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Professor Mark Vitha named Windsor Professor of Science
The Drake University Board of Trustees recently named Mark Vitha, associate professor of chemistry, Windsor Professors in Science. Several years ago, a gift from Mary Belle Windsor established the Windsor Professorships in Science to support distinguished faculty in the sciences at Drake University. (4/18/2011)

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Professor Maria Bohorquez honored at DUCURS 11
On April 14, 2011 during the luncheon organized for DUCURS, Dean Joseph Lenz from the College of Arts & Sciences presented a plaque to Professor Maria Bohorquez in recognition of her exemplary leadership of six years as the Inaugural Director of the Drake Undergraduate Science Collaborative Institute (DUSCI). (4/14/2011)

Ethan Secor received Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Award
Ethan Secor, who has a double major in chemistry and physics, has been selected to receive a Barry M. Goldwater Foundation Scholarship Award in recognition of his outstanding academic work and ambitious career aspirations. (4/12/2011)

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Today in Science

365: Chemistry for Life

We’re celebrating chemistry’s contributions to the world with: 365: Chemistry for Life