Rollins chemistry and biochemistry faculty are actively engaged in original research, in such areas as polymer supported reagents, protein folding, structure and biological activities of protein / RNA interactions, plant natural products, the thermodynamics of solutions, problems in yeast and bacterial metabolism, water purification systems in developing "Third World" countries, and environmental DNA soil analysis. Faculty members have also created research collaborations with other faculty at the College and with chemists at other universities such as Florida, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Harvard, Utah and Arizona, and have published their work, some with student collaborators, in leading national and international journals.
"Small colleges with well-equipped and staffed science centers like this one at Rollins are the hope of technology in this country because here, bright students can 'do their thing' better."
Dr. Wernher Von Braun, Rocket Expert, considered the father of the American Space ProgramCurrent Research Projects
Research Opportunities
Students are invited to conduct research during the school year with faculty, beginning in their freshman year. By working side by side with chemistry Faculty, students will develop lab and problem-solving skills far beyond what the classroom can provide. Furthermore, EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH suggests that conducting undergraduate research is "the most important component of the education of future scientists." As a result, the faculty at Rollins College are committed to involving students in research projects that are not only accessible to the students, but also are important to the scientific world and will result in the furthering of scientific knowledge, as evidenced by the publishing of peer-reviewed publications, often times with student co-authors.
A second unique feature of the chemistry program at Rollins is the SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAM. After your first year at Rollins you will be invited to participate for 6-8 weeks for one or more summers in a research partnership with a faculty member in the College's funded summer research program. Not only will you receive a stipend and housing on campus, but also as much pizza or Chinese food as you may consume at the group meetings each Friday. Students often present their work at a national meeting during the next academic year; expenses are paid for by the program. After these experiences, many students are accepted into National Science Foundation sponsored summer programs such as Research Experiences for Undergraduates at major research universities.
Finally, students in both the chemistry and biochemistry and molecular biology majors are encouraged to work on a senior research project. Through the review of the scientific literature, the development of a research proposal, the conducting of research and the composition and defense of a senior thesis, students are providing a capstone experience for the undergraduate careers.
Research Facilities
One of the important benefits of a Rollins chemistry/biochemistry major is the opportunity to learn and use modern computer driven research instruments in laboratory and research projects. If you tour the Chemistry Department's laboratory facilities, you will find them very well equipped with modern state-of-the-art research instrumentation; its inventory includes:
• various spectrometers (300 mHz FT-NMR, FT-IR, Ultraviolet-Visible-Near IR, ion trap GC-MS with solids probe, spectrofluorimeter, atomic absorption and emission with graphite furnace)
• various gas and liquid chromatographs, and electrophoresis (slab and capillary) apparatus
• an X-ray diffractometer
• electrochemical systems
• a work station for molecular modelingThese are the same instruments that are found at larger universities. The main difference at Rollins is that you will have hands-on instruction and experiences in the operation and use of these instruments in laboratory course work, and research during the academic year and summer.
