We offer high-quality programs of study that provide our students with the background necessary to work as professional chemists or to prepare for graduate or professional school.  Chemistry is a "hands-on" science, and we place an emphasis on providing students with the best laboratory experience possible through access to state-of-the-art equipment and participation in active undergraduate research programs.  

Go to the links at the right for additional information about the department.  Do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions about our programs, and we welcome visits by high school students and other members of the community.

Bruner Hall Renovation Progresses -- All faculy/student research spaces are now available for use.  The last phase of construction is expected to be completed by August 2009.  Remaining spaces to be renovated in the chemistry department are two teaching laboratories, the main instrument room, physical chemistry lab space, the laser laboratory, and the department office suite.

Summer Research in the Chemistry Department-- This summer, six undergraduate students have full-time research appointments sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, NASA, and UNK's Summer Student Research Program.

New Instrumentation Technician joins the department -- The department welcomes Jeramie Ellis, who joined the department on June 1 as Instrumentation Technician, a new managerial/professional staff position with responsiblities that include teaching lab preparation, stockroom management, and the maintenance of department equipment.  Jeramie just completed her M.S. degree in physical chemistry at the University of Utah, and she will join the department in June.

New Faculty to join the department -- We are pleased to announce the hiring of two new tenure-track faculty members whose appointments will begin in August.  Hector Palencia will come to UNK from Ball State University, where he held a full-time teaching faculty appointment.  Dr. Palencia's expertise is in organic chemistry and has research interests in the development of new biodiesel fuel compounds.  Cheri Barta will continue her UNK faculty appointment that becomes tenure-track in August.  Prior to her 2008-2009 one-year appointment here at UNK, she completed her Ph.D. in bioinorganic chemistry at the University of British Columbia.  Dr. Barta's research interests center around the development of rare earth element complexes with medical applications.

Department Chair Returns from Sabbatical -- On June 1, Michael Mosher returned to the department from his one-year sabbatical during which he served as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Air Force Academy.

Click here to access the annual department assessment reports.