About
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is located on the third floor of the Barnes Science Center on the Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ campus. You may contact our administrative office using the information listed below. View the campus map.
Shared Community Values, 2021
As part of the broad Chemistry & Biochemistry community, we intentionally embrace and uplift the following shared values in our classrooms, labs, and community spaces:
Inclusion
- Everyone is welcome in this classroom, and we honor each individual identity.
- Learning is enriched by differences in background, experience, and preparation.
- We embrace diversity in thought, perspective, background, and experience as central to the learning process.
- We acknowledge the presence of implicit bias in course materials due to the historical and cultural perspective with which they were written.
- Discrimination will not be tolerated, and we will speak out when we witness injustice in this learning community.
- Accountability is essential to an inclusive learning environment. We all commit to holding our own selves accountable to our shared values in this classroom.
Support of Well-Being
- We prioritize our mental and physical health.
- Learning happens in safe environments.
- We provide only constructive feedback to our peers.
- Learning happens by doing – we will practice, learn, and grow together.
- Physical safety is the cornerstone of our laboratory courses. Embracing safe practices protects community members and enhances the learning experience for everyone.
Honesty and Respect
- Open, honest conversations are central to building trust in our relationships.
- We provide space for each individual to express their thoughts and opinions.
- We credit those for their ideas and contributions to the classroom.
- We treat each other with dignity.
- We create a respectful environment by honoring the rights, wishes, feelings, and traditions of others.
Growth Mindset in Learning
- Each person has the same capacity to learn.
- We define success through growth.
- Learning is cooperative and iterative – we support each other along that path.

Named to recognize the generosity of Dr. Otis A. Barnes (Professor of Chemistry, 1925 - 1941 & 1944 - 1962) and Margaret Tyson Barnes '27. Otis and Margaret Barnes created an outstanding legacy in support of the Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ science programs, benefiting students since 1953.
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