Chemistry and Geosciences

Below the surface of what humans see and touch is another world to discover and explore. When students study chemistry or the geosciences, they nurture the scientific mind. They also discover opportunities for improving life for the residents of planet Earth. They learn to respect and care for God’s creation. 

Current and future success are top priorities. Students enjoy learning in their areas of interest from seasoned science professionals. They benefit from their professors’ experience, knowledge and firm Christian faith.

Preparing for Your Career

At Olivet, students spend productive hours working side-by-side with their professors and one another in lab settings. The latest in research equipment gives them quality experiences, provides them with valid research results and prepares them well for their future careers. 

Classroom, research, presentation and internship experiences at Olivet will also prepare them well for graduate school. The majority of Olivet graduates who apply to master’s or doctoral programs in their fields are accepted. More than 90 percent of them receive full financial aid through fellowships, research assistantships or teaching assistantships.

Areas of Study

Starting freshman year, students receive instruction directly from their professors, instead of just meeting a list of deadlines on their own. Olivet’s professors are experienced scientists with healthy, active interests in their fields of expertise. They are ready to prepare students for success. And they’re equally eager to pray with students!

Through study and research, students determine what careers they want to pursue. Professors help them customize their training to achieve their goals.

Chemistry
Chemistry Teaching
Earth and Space Science Teaching
Environmental Science
Geography
Geological Sciences
Physical Sciences

By the Numbers
$136K
value of full tuition stipend received by Kathryn (Eccles) Maneiro ’11 for her Ph.D. program at Boston University
17:1
student-to-faculty ratio
90%
chemistry and geosciences majors go on to receive full financial graduate school aid
40K
network of Olivet alumni
Research Opportunities

Olivet students and their faculty mentors who receive the University’s Pence-Boyce Research Grants spend the summer on intensive research projects. An alumni group that fosters mentoring of individual students by Olivet faculty in mathematics, science or engineering research funds these grants.

Special Programs

Technology Toolbox

Olivet students benefit from excellent laboratory and research experiences with access to a variety of equipment and collections in the Chemistry and Geosciences Department.

Equipment Includes

Petrographic microscopes; GPS/GIS equipment; microscopic processing software; a rock processing lab; hydrologic equipment; significant collections of rocks, minerals, fossils and maps; spectrometers; digital fluorometer; electroanalytical analyzer; high pressure liquid chromatography system; calorimetry equipment; electrophoresis apparati; planetarium; and more!

 

Strickler Planetarium

Professional Associations

Students work with faculty members to publish and present the results of their research. Some have presented their work at the annual meeting of The Geological Society of America and the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Areas (ACCA) Student Symposium.

Field Experiences

Students enjoy field study opportunities in locations significant to their major areas of study. Previous locations include the Southern Appalachian Mountains, Shawnee National Forest, Badlands National Park, Montana and Wyoming.

Meet the Faculty

Bruce Heyen

With more than 25 years of experience as a professor, Bruce Heyen teaches general chemistry, biochemistry, analytical chemistry and introductory chemistry. One of his favorite professional accomplishments is his work in collaboration with a group of biochemistry professors to improve biochemical pedagogy. He has completed three sabbaticals focused on biochemistry, organic synthesis and chemical education.

Meet the Faculty

Careers in Chemistry and Geosciences:

Attorney, Chemical engineer, Geophysicist, Hydrologist, Medical technician, Environmental science, Oil Companies, Pharmacist, Professor, Sales, Secondary education teacher

Companies that have employed alumni:
Graduate schools where alumni have studied:

Duke University
Indiana University
Marshall University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Michigan State University
Northwestern University
Ohio State University

Purdue University
Southern Illinois University
Texas A & M
University of Akron
University of Chicago
University of Illinois
University of Michigan

University of Missouri
University of Nebraska
University of Nevada
University of Notre Dame
University of Virginia
Vanderbilt University
Washington University

Chemistry and Geosciences with a Christian Purpose

The best way to see if Olivet is a good fit for you is to visit the campus. We offer unique, customized visit days every weekday, and special Purple & Gold days, too, where you can get up close at all things ONU.

Schedule a Visit