From the Dean
I am honored to be dean of a college that boasts a chemistry de-
partment that counts its age in centuries. Last spring, we celebrated
Carolina chemistry’s 200th-year mark not merely by lauding our past
accomplishments but looking toward the future.
Carolina Chemistry’s pathway to excellence started with a vision
decades ago: Bring talented faculty here early in their careers, pro-
vide them with legendary mentors, a collaborative atmosphere and
the resources they need to flourish, and they will go on to accomplish
great things.
This led to a culture of collaboration that has made Carolina distinct-
ly different, with chemists working alongside engineers, computer
scientists, applied mathematicians and physicians to solve real-world
problems to the benefit of the state, nation and world. This model has
served as the catalyst for our new department of applied physical sci-
ences and has informed the vision for our new Institute for Convergent
Science.
Chemistry’s ethos is a winning formula that we are working to apply to
other disciplines. Collaboration and our common goal of being a uni-
versity “of the public, for the public” is what sets Carolina apart from
its peers.
Of course, our chemistry faculty do more than conduct research. They
are excellent teachers in the classroom and mentors to the students
who will become the next generation of innovators.
Chemistry was one of the departments at Carolina that benefited
from an AAU grant in recent years to transform large lecture gateway
courses in STEM disciplines. We have reinvented the student expe-
rience by using what are known as “high-structure active learning”
techniques. As we reimagine our General Education curriculum for
future generations of undergraduates, we are using these proven-ef-
fective techniques.
Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Dean of the College of
the Arts & Sciences
Congratulations, once again, to the Department of Chemistry on its
200th anniversary and for being one of the outstanding strengths of
Carolina.
CHEM.UNC.EDU | CHEMISTRY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA |
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