Chemistry Department
The Chemistry Department's mission is to prepare its graduates by teaching them the skills needed to succeed professionally as scientists, to be competitive applicants for post-baccalaureate studies or to become science educators, and to serve the wider campus community by offering introductory courses which meet the NMU general education requirements.
There's no time like snow time!
Past NMU Chemistry Department Speakers
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Thank you Dr. King!
We appreciate Dr. King making the trip from Arkansas to present his seminar "Extraction and Processing of Cannabis/Hemp-History, Current Status, and Future Trends," in person.
To learn more about Dr. King and his endeavors go to his website!
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Thank you Dr. Bid!
Dr. Hemant Kumar Bid recently led a Medicinal Plant Chemistry Seminar titled "Preventive and Therapeutic Aspects of the Endocannabinoid System" where he discussed on how medical cannabis affects the body and how it is used to treat illnesses from a neuroscience and medicinal perspective. Dr. Bid lectures not only nationally, but internationally lectures about this topic and his dedication, motivation and drive to move the cannabinoid industry forward does not go unnoticed!
Check out his feature on the Wayward Planet Podcast!
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Thank You Dr. Worden!
Dr. Worden of Gourmet Mushrooms, Inc. was recently a guest speaker to CH 389. She inspired the audience to view fungi in a different light. To not only appreciate mushrooms for their palate appeal but to also recognize them for their benefits in nutraceutical supplements. She shared her research on optimizing and developing improved cultivation methods for edible mushroom species to meet a growing demand from the culinary and medicinal fields.
To learn more visit https://www.mycopia.com/
Thank you Dr. Richert!
Dr. Lucas Richert was recently featured as a plenary speaker for the 2023 Great Lakes Cannabis Education Conference hosted by Northern Michigan University. Dr. Richert is the George Urdang Chair in the History of Pharmacy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The community was then invited to join Dr. Alex Wilson’s Medicinal Plant Chemistry Seminar to hear Dr. Richert talk about: Cannabis Biomedicine and its Challenges: A Historical Perspective.
This talk examined the ups and downs of cannabis as a legitimate "medicine" in the United States and took into consideration its status as a "dangerous drug." It focused on key historical actors in science, medicine, and government. Dr. Richert also offered historical examples related to cannabis with the hope of enabling a deeper conversation about access and affordability of medicines in the US.
To learn more about Dr. Richert visit https://apps.pharmacy.wisc.edu/sopdir/lucas_richert/
About the Chemistry Department
Northern’s four chemistry majors explore how chemistry touches every aspect of life. These programs develop both the knowledge and research foundations you’ll need to head into the job market, graduate school or a professional program. If you have an interest in science, we can help you develop the skills needed to be successful in your career. The department's programs are accredited by the American Chemical Society.
Bachelor's degrees are granted in chemistry, biochemistry and forensic biochemistry. The chemistry major also prepares students for medical, dental and veterinary training, and many undergraduate students who major in chemistry at NMU are in the pre-med/pre-dental/pre-pharmacy program.
What You'll Do at NMU
As a NMU chemistry student, you’ll have access to some amazing science facilities and equipment. Most of the courses in your major will be taken in NMU’s Seaborg Science Complex, one of the finest university science facilities in the Midwest. You’ll also have the opportunity to do high-caliber student-faculty collaborative research. Northern students often present their research results at regional and national conferences. These experiences often lead to exciting opportunities off-campus such as summer internships. During every step of the way, you'll have the support of talented, caring and dedicated professors.
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Thank You Donors
The Chemistry Department acquired a new instrument called a Nanadrop UV/VIS Spectrometer. This upgrade improves lab research and testing capabilities. In addition to this, other instruments in the department need costly chemicals and gases to operate. Thanks to gifts made this year by NMU alumni and friends, department faculty have funding to buy important instruments and supplies for lab equipment.
Experience Learning
At Northern, we believe students learn best when they are fully engaged in the subject matter and the best way to engage if you are one of our students is to work in a laboratory. Faculty are always eager to work with students on projects. There are a variety of opportunities ranging from topics like improving the synthesis of carbon Buckyballs, modeling protein-drug interactions, the detection of trace detonation materials, to the remediation of environmental pollutants. Off campus, NMU students have interned at crime labs throughout the Upper Midwest and at other universities in the summer.
Career Excellence
Chemistry touches virtually every aspect of modern life leading to career opportunities in industry, academics, and government. Chemists develop new drugs and vaccines, analyze forensic evidence, monitor environmental pollutants, reformulate consumer products, and design novel materials for electronics. At NMU, your training in chemistry will prepare you for a wide range of jobs, such as crime lab analyst, environmental chemist, or educator. The chemistry degree also provides excellent preparation for pharmacy, medical and dental professions.