About Us

Department Vision

Chair Welcome

Welcome to the department of chemistry web page. Here you can find information about possible careers in chemistry and the chemistry classes offered by the department. You can also find information about the faculty and their research interests. The department has a goal of involving each chemistry major in undergraduate research.

If you want to major in chemistry or chemistry and physics education you can find the requirements for these majors and a breakdown by semester of the classes that should be taken to obtain a bachelor degree. Go to the "Degrees and Programs" page. The requirements for a chemistry minor are listed under "Minor in Chemistry."

For more information, please contact the Chemistry Advisor at (801)-863-5642.

Mission

The Chemistry Department is dedicated to providing a high quality chemistry education for the students at Utah Valley University. The department offers a wide variety of classes to support other departments and to provide excellent training leading to a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry or a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry/Physics Education. The chemistry faculty is committed to encouraging students to learn and to do research not only in their course work, but in their lifelong careers.

About Chemistry

Chemistry is the study of matter. Chemists study the properties and reactions of matter.

A career in Chemistry offers the opportunity for a challenging and rewarding life. Chemistry is the central science. It bridges physics and materials science, the biological sciences and medicine, and earth and planetary sciences. Chemistry is a fundamental driver in the business and commerce sector of our society.

Chemists are in continual demand. Many students with degrees in chemistry choose to pursue an advanced degree in graduate school, or to attend medical, dental, pharmacology, or veterinary schools. Chemists, however, are vital to a wide spectrum of fields.

In industry, chemists work on projects such as new product development and testing for substances important in products ranging from common household goods to exotic pharmaceuticals. Chemists are also needed in the broad area of environmental chemistry. In addition to the areas of industrial hygiene and waste treatment, environmental chemists are required in toxicology where a knowledge of both chemistry and biological systems is important. Environmental chemists are required to measure toxins in the environment, conduct research into the reactions and biochemical reaction mechanisms of possible pollutants, and to help provide insights into the development of new compounds which are less toxic to humankind and the environment.

In government, laboratory chemists are involved in measurements for standardization, development of new analytical techniques, merging computers and chemistry in new technology, forensics and even in robotics.

You may ask, "What about other professional programs?" Chemistry majors have successfully pursued law degrees and MBAs. These lawyers and business people are sought after because of their technical background and ability to understand complex issues involving science and technology. Students may pursue careers in sales, regulation of industry, or science policy.

An area which is always important and of increasing popularity is Chemistry Education. There are many majors now teaching Chemistry and other secondary school science classes. Another area for those who enjoy writing is Science Journalism. There is a great need for science expertise in the news media.

Most chemists, however, pursue laboratory research. We believe that the development of quality research scientists must begin at the undergraduate level with a positive research environment. These research opportunities at the early stages of development allow the aspiring scientist to obtain the proper perspective on the successes and failures associated with scientific research. As important is the opportunity for students to explore different areas of research and to discover the excitement inherent in research activities.

The Department of Chemistry is in the process of developing undergraduate research opportunities. This research is quite different from the laboratory exercises that are part of our lower level courses. As our faculty begin to develop their research interests, our students will be given the opportunity to participate. Students can participate in any or all of these projects as their interest and schedules permit.

We encourage you to look into the chemistry program at UVU. We will not kid you. The coursework needed to earn a degree is rigorous and challenging. However, that degree can open up your future to many possibilities. As an incentive to recruit students to our major, the College has set aside money for scholarships for chemistry majors.

Faculty & Staff

Portrait of Merrill Halling

Merrill Halling

Associate Professor: Department Chair

merrill.halling@uvu.edu

Physical Chemistry

More Information

801.863.5409 | PS 230 | MS: 179
Kellie Hancock

Kellie Hancock

Administrative Support

hancocke@uvu.edu

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801.863.6295 | PS REC | MS: 179
Calvin Bond

Calvin Bond

Associate Professor

Analytical &
Environmental Chemistry

bondca@uvu.edu

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801.863.7137 | PS 219 | MS: 179
Fern Caka

Fern Caka

Professor
Associate Dean
College of Science

Analytical Chemistry

fernc@uvu.edu

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801.863.8581  | SB 241 | MS: 179
Stephen Chamberland

Stephen Chamberland

Associate Professor

Organic Chemistry

schamberland@uvu.edu

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801.863.6017 | PS 229 | MS: 179
Nathan Goldfarb

Nathan Goldfarb

Assistant Professor

Biochemistry

nathan.goldfarb@uvu.edu

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801.863.5981 | PS 212g | MS: 179
Young Wan Ham

Young Wan Ham

Associate Professor

Organic Chemistry

yham@uvu.edu

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801.863.8638 | SB 063 | MS: 179
Emily Heider

Emily Heider

Assistant Professor

Analytical Chemistry

eheider@uvu.edu

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801.863.6080 | PS 009g | MS: 179
Steve Herron

Steve Herron

Lecturer

Biochemistry

steven.herron@uvu.edu

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801.863.5688 | SB 243n | MS: 179
Matthew Horn

Matthew Horn

Associate Professor

Physical Chemistry

hornma@uvu.edu

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801.863.6204 | PS 211b | MS: 179
Emily Heider

Clinton King

Lab Manager

Organic Chemistry

 

Clinton.King@uvu.edu

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801.863.7375 | PS 009c | MS: 179
Elena Laricheva

Elena Laricheva

Assistant Professor

Analytical &
Computational Chemistry

larichel@uvu.edu

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801.863.5713 | SB 243p | MS: 179
Cory Larsen

Cory Larsen

Lab Manager

Analytical &
Instrumental Chemistry

cory.larsen@uvu.edu

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801.863.4654 | SB 046 | MS: 179
Sally Rocks

Sally Rocks

Assistant Professor

Inorganic Chemistry

sally.rocks@uvu.edu

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801.863.5443 | PS 212a | MS: 179
Daniel Scott

Daniel Scott

Lecturer

Analytical Chemistry

Daniel.Scott@uvu.edu

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801.863.8672 | PS 212 | MS: 179
Kevin Shurtleff

Kevin Shurtleff

Associate Professor

Physical Chemistry

kshurtleff@uvu.edu

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801.863.5499 | PS 009b | MS: 179
Thomas Strangfeld

Thomas Strangfeld

Lab Manager

Inorganic Chemistry

strangth@uvu.edu

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801.863.7374 | PS 009a | MS: 179
Keshar Tamrakar

Keshar Tamrakar

Central Stock Manager

Organic Chemistry

keshar.tamrakar@uvu.edu

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801.863.7569 | SB 068h | MS: 179
Craig Thulin

Craig Thulin

Professor

Biochemistry

thulincr@uvu.edu

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801.863.6486 | PS 211a | MS: 179
Lakshmi Viswanath

Lakshmi Viswanath

Associate Professor

Chemistry
Chemical Education

lakshmiviswanathc@uvu.edu

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801.863.7342 | SB 054 | MS: 179
Mark Wathen

Mark Wathen

Associate Professor

Organic Chemistry
Chemical Education

mark.wathen@uvu.edu

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801.863.6907 | SB 243g | MS: 179
Lilia White

Lilia White

Lecturer

Analytical Chemistry

lilia.white@uvu.edu

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801.863.5691 | SB 064 | MS: 179
Bruce Wilson

Bruce Wilson

Associate Professor

Inorganic Chemistry

bruce.wilson@uvu.edu

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801.863.7138 | PS 212f | MS: 179
Ming Yu

Ming Yu

Associate Professor

Analytical Chemistry

mingy@uvu.edu

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801.863.6840 | PS 202d | MS: 179