Chemistry Archives

How Science 101 Sparked Sheldon Saccoman’s Interest in Biology and Chemistry

When Sheldon Saccoman came to Hillsdale, he had no idea that exploring the core curriculum, rich with history and English classes, would ultimately lead him to a biology and chemistry double major.

Completing the Puzzle

Professor of chemistry Dr. Lee Baron loves puzzles. “I’ve always liked to problem-solve. I just found chemistry the area where I was able to problem-solve most effectively.”

Courtney Meyet

Hillsdale’s newest chemistry professor, Courtney Meyet, spent her early undergraduate years avoiding the very subject she now teaches. She even changed her major to avoid having to take organic chemistry. But thanks to enthusiastic professors who gave her unique research opportunities, she learned to love the subject while pursuing a second bachelor’s degree and went on to earn a Ph.D. in organic synthesis. In her first year of teaching at Hillsdale, she is eager to share her knowledge with science majors and non-science majors alike.

Exploring The Central Science

If you ask the Hillsdale College chemistry faculty to describe their field, you might hear them call chemistry the “central” science. “Not necessarily the best science, mind you. It just connects everything. Besides, that title just makes chemistry sound cool,” jokes Dr. Matthew Young.

Demystifying College Science Labs

Going into college, most students have prior high school lab experience, and every Hillsdale student spends at least one semester in lab-based physics and chemistry, but neither of those examples gives a comprehensive view of what science majors do on a daily basis. Introductory lab courses tend to be “cookbook” science, where the professor hands out a pre-made procedure and the students follow the steps until they arrive at either a correct or incorrect result.

Lasers, Superconducting Magnets, and More: A Selection of Chemical Instrumentation

One of the best aspects of Hillsdale College’s chemistry program is the unparalleled access that students and faculty have to well-equipped lab facilities. Chemistry and biochemistry students regularly get the opportunity to use a wide range of chemical instrumentation. We’ve collected some of the most interesting instruments below – check them out!

Chemistry and Community: Heidi Hendrickson, ’09, On Her Hillsdale Education

During her doctoral studies at the University of Michigan, Heidi also pursued a masters degree in educational studies. It was during one of her education classes that she encountered a misinterpretation of Plato in her readings – and she decided to challenge it.

Science Isn’t for Everyone at First, Even for Your Professor

You came to Hillsdale to be educated in the liberal arts—emphasis on the arts. Yet, students are still required to have some knowledge of the sciences. Don’t like chemistry? Don’t worry—you’re in good company. In fact, you might even end up liking it.

Spotlight: Erich Steger

Before coming to Hillsdale, Erich Steger was so shy and introverted that his mother worried about his chances of thriving at college. On top of that, Erich himself was unsure of what to expect from his Hillsdale experience. “I knew I was going to study the sciences; I didn’t have that in question,” he says. “I declared a chemistry major right away.”

Beer: Science, Styles, Sampling

At last, a beer tasting class is being offered at Hillsdale College! I’m not in the Honors Program, but when I saw that an honors seminar was being offered called “Beer: Science, Styles, Sampling,” I knew I had to get into it. As soon as the honors classes were opened to non-honors students, I snagged the last open spot in the class.