Interdisciplinary Studies with Chemistry

Chemistry is often called the "central science" because investigations of matter at the molecular level--such as those performed in medicine, pharmacology, nanoscience, and materials science--depend on the theories and methodologies of chemistry.

At Kenyon, that translates into strong interdisciplinary links between the chemistry department and the following programs:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The intersection of chemistry and biology provides a creative focus for understanding the molecular processes of life. Kenyon's Chemistry and Biology Departments offer an interdisciplinary program that includes two majors: in Biochemistry or Molecular Biology.
• Neuroscience. The molecular nature of neurochemistry, from drug-enzyme interactions to modeling the chemical reactions in neural networks are some ways in which chemists contribute to the burgeoning field of neuroscience.
• Environmental Studies. From "green chemistry" to renewable energy, chemistry courses and research projects contribute to the intersection of environmental science with biological, economic and political aspects of man's relationship to the environment.
• Scientific Computing. Computational modeling of neurochemical kinetics, calculations of molecular structures, and correlating molecular orbital theory with experiment offer opportunities for chemisty faculty and students to engage with the Scientific Computing Program.

Each of these programs either require, or offer an an electrive, chemistry department courses as part of their major or minor (concentration). In addition, faculty members in the Chemistry Department direct research projects of interest to students active in these interdisciplinary programs.