Departmental
Mission
We are a primarily undergraduate institution and our main goal is to offer our students an outstanding education. This will be achieved through our unique and well designed programs directed by highly qualified and motivated faculty members. We are very committed to making sure that students who successfully complete our program find suitable placement in any number of carreers in industrial science, science education, or admission to a graduate or professional school. The preparation that our students receive in either chemistry or biochemistry has been recognized by many local chemical and pharmaceutical corporations as being more than adequate for an entry level research position. Graduates of our programs are also successful in obtaining admission into either an accredited graduate program or professional school in the medical field. The mission of our department is four fold:
- We believe that a solid academic foundation and laboratory skills
are equally important to prepare students to be successful in their
future professional careers.
Given the size of our institution, our classes tend to be small, especially in the upper level courses. Close interaction between students and professors provides a stimulating learning environment. Our introductory courses not only serve chemistry, biochemistry and physics majors but also premedical students as well as students majoring in biology, geology, marine science and biopsychology.
Upper level courses for students in our program majors obtain training in a broad number of disciplines to ensure that graduates are exposed to the many disciplines of their chose major. Solid training in laboratory skills and comprehension of the fundamental concepts and connections are emphasized in all courses. Use of modern techniques and instrumentation is emphasized to prepare students for careers in a scientific laboratory. Technical writing skills are also developed through the curriculum. - Research experience with our faculty extended scientific training
beyond the classroom
Our faculty are engaged in research projects which lend themselves to un which lend themselves to undergraduate participation. In tackling the challenge of advanced and independent laboratory work, our students begin to understand the nature of science and the scientific method. In fact, participation by all students is strongly encouraged as it builds a greater appreciation of the nature of science and their chosen field. Often, faculty and students jointly present their research results either at professional meetings or as written research papers. The classroom training given at Rider along with the motivation to perform independent research has also allowed many of our students to continue their education either in an accredited graduate program or in a professional school in a number of medical fields.
- We pay close attention to a student's professional and personal
growth with continuous advising through their college years.
Our primary focus is on the students. Our programs are designed to allow the faculty to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the student. We use these assessments to better advise the student. We make it a point during their college career to stay aware of all the students in our program, so that no one "falls through the cracks."
- We offer internship opportunities for our students to
work in industry during the summer or academic year prior to their graduation.
Our relationship with many local industrial chemical and pharmaceuticrmaceutical laboratories has lead to immediate employment upon graduation for many students. Some students have also obtained part time positions and summer internships in industrial firms prior to graduation. We also offer an internship in science course during the academic year which allows a student to work in a industrial lab for college credit. The experiences our students can gain in the workplace is one of our greatest assurances that they can obtain employment as an industrial scientist.