Find yourself in your element
Each and every day chemistry is happening all around us. When you strike a match or munch your lunch, you’re triggering chemical reactions. We live, grow, and thrive thanks to chemistry. So if you have a natural curiosity and appreciation for what makes up God’s creation, you might find yourself most in your element pursuing a degree in this field.
Credits120
Sample Careers
- Chemistry Teacher
- Chemist
- Chemical Technician
Financial Aid
The average undergraduate student award is $16,603.
Learn about financial aidSTEM Designated
Prepares you for in-demand careers
Program Overview
The aim of Concordia’s program is to prepare you for a career in the chemical industry or to pursue graduate studies to earn a PhD, an MD, or a PharmD. Expect to be challenged on a regular basis. Our professors have designed a rigorous curriculum to help you advance as a scientist and develop analytic reasoning. CUW’s Chemistry program is approved by the American Chemical Society, an important distinction for any Chemistry program.
What to Expect
A significant portion of your studies will take place in our recently constructed laboratories, with state-of-the-art technology and equipment. Whenever possible, our faculty take a hands-on approach to learning, so you can expect to quickly become comfortable in a lab setting. You’ll gain a thorough foundation in the various areas within chemistry, including organic, inorganic, analytical, physical, and biochemistry. And CUW students aren’t limited to the required courses for developing their skills. If you have a particular area of interest, you have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a faculty member in conducting an undergraduate research project.
Please note there is a chemistry placement exam that you will need to take before you start your chemistry sequence.
Recommended for you (based on programs you’ve viewed)
Undergraduate
Undergraduate Application Steps
Admit. Commit. That’s it!
For first-time freshmen and transfer students:
- Submit your online application
- Send Official High School Transcripts (College Transcripts if Applicable).
- Send your official ACT or SAT scores
For those that would like to be considered as test optional in the admissions process, please contact your admission counselor. Students with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 are required to submit an ACT/SAT. You will receive an email and a phone call from your dedicated Admission Counselor. Please reach out to your counselor if you have any questions regarding the application process. We review each application on an individual basis using a holistic approach.
Jon J. Barnett
Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Office: Loeber Hall LO012E
Phone: (262) 243-4394
Bio
Dr. Barnett is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry and teaches Introductory, General, Analytical, and Inorganic Chemistry at CUW.
Education
- Ph D - Inorganic Chemistry, Auburn University (2002)
- BS - Chemistry, University of Montevallo (1996)
Research Interests
- Porphyrin and Metalloporphyrin Synthesis
- Chemical Kinetics
Teaching Interests
- Analytical Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
Jordan P. Beck
Ph. D.
Associate Professor
Phone: (262) 243-4267
Bio
I am an associate professor of chemistry at Condordia University Wisconsin. My areas of specialty are physical chemistry and chemical education.
Education
- Ph D - Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2011)
- BS - Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2005)
Contributions
- Beck, J. & Miller, D. (2022). Encouraging Student Engagement by Using a POGIL Framework for a Gas-Phase IR Physical Chemistry Laboratory Experiment. Journal of Chemical Education. https://doi.org/1...
- Beck, J., Muniz, M., Crickmore, C. & Sizemore, L. (2020). Physical chemistry students' navigation and use of models to predict and explain molecular vibration and rotation. (2 ed., vol. 21, pp. 597-607). Chemistry Education Research and Practice.
- Muniz, M., Crickmore, C., Kirsch, J. & Beck, J. (2018). Upper-division chemistry students’ navigation and use of quantum chemical models. (19 ed., vol. 2018, pp. 767). Chemistry Education Research and Practice.
- Beck, J., Gaigeot, M. & James, L. (2013). Anharmonic vibrations of N-H in Cl-(N-methylacetamide)1(H2O)0-2Ar2 cluster ions. Combined IRPD experiments and BOMD simulations. (39 ed., vol. 15, pp. 16736-16745). Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics.
- Beck, J., Cimas, A., Lisy, J. & Gaigeot, M. (2013). O-H anharmonic vibrational motions in Cl-...(CH3OH)1-2 ionic clusters. Combined IRPD experiments and AIMD simulations. (vol. 119, pp. 12-17). Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy.
Presentations
- Beck, J. (2022). Encouraging student engagement in scientific practices through a gas-phase IR POGIL physical chemistry laboratory experiment . Oral Presentation. Biennial Conference on Chemical Education . Purdue University.
- Beck, J. (2019). Upper-division chemistry students' navigation and use of quantum chemical models. Oral Presentation. CUW Faculty Research Seminar. CUW.
Research Interests
- Chemical Eduation
- Computational Chemistry
Teaching Interests
- Physical Chemistry
- General Chemistry
Katherine A. Bichler
Ph.D.
Professor
Office: Loeber Hall 012A
Phone: (262) 243-4426
Bio
Dr. Bichler did her undergraduate work at Carroll College, a private institution similar to CUW, and majored in chemistry with minors in biology and German. She then completed her Ph.D. in bioorganic chemisry at Northwestern University and has been teaching chemistry ever since.
Education
- Ph D - Chemistry, Northwestern University (1994)
- BS - Chemistry, Carroll College (1990)
Contributions
- Lewandowski, N., Bichler, K., Fisher, L., Sullivan, B., Korman, M., Paz, E., Imhoff, A. & , . (2020). Process Development of the Weiss−Cook Reaction for the Preparation of cis-1,5-Dimethylbicyclo[3.3.0]octane-3,7-dione in the Undergraduate Organic Laboratory. In Tom Holme (Ed.), (10 ed., vol. 97, pp. 3835-3838). On-Line: Journal of Chemical Education. https://pubs.acs....
- McGraw, J., Bichler, K. & Cherney, M. The Relative Role of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 in Eplerenone Metabolism. Mequon.
Presentations
- Switzer, J., Hoefs, M., Bichler, K. & McGraw, J., (2020). Palmitoyl Asparagine Synthesis and Analysis. Poster. Spring 2020 National Meeting of the American Chemical Society. Philadelphia, PA (cancelled due to COVID).
Research Interests
- Laboratory Pedogogy
- CYP 450 Metabolism
Teaching Interests
- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
Jeffrey Potratz
Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Office: Loeber Hall Loeber 013C
Phone: (262) 243-2142
Bio
Jeffrey Potratz returned to WI in 2015 to teach at CUW after 8 years living in TX. He is happy to be part of an institution that values its mission statement and is Christ-centered. He enjoys spending time with his family and plays just about every sport imaginable.
Education
- Ph D - Biochemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2012)
- BS - Chemistry, Wisconsin Lutheran College (2006)
Contributions
- Russell, P. & Potratz, J. (2023). Binding Interaction Activities Powered by Desmos. Journal of Chemical Education. https://doi.org/1...
- Mowrer, E. & Potratz, J. (2020). Structural Insights into tRNA via Hypochromism. (11 ed., vol. 97, pp. 4179-4183). Journal of Chemical Education. https://doi.org/1...
- Potratz, J. (2018). Making Enzyme Kinetics Dynamic via Simulation Software. (3 ed., vol. 95, pp. 482-486). Journal of Chemical Education. http://dx.doi.org...
- Pan, C., Potratz, J., Cannon, B., Simpson, Z., Ziehr, J., Tijerina, P. & Russell, R. (2014). DEAD-box helicase proteins disrupt RNA tertiary structure through helix capture.. (10 ed., vol. 12). PLoS biology.
- Contreras, L., Huang, T., Piazza, C., Smith, D., Qu, G., Gelderman, G., Potratz, J., Russell, R. & Belfort, M. (2013). Group II intron-ribosome association protects intron RNA from degradation.. (11 ed., vol. 19, pp. 1497-509). RNA (New York, N.Y.).
Presentations
- Hollander, E., Paape, A. & Potratz, J., (2023). Mathematical Integrated Strategies in a Core Business Class Using Cognitive Science Methods as an Intervention Tactic to Increase Future Student Success at Concordia University of Wisconsin. Paper. 2023 Cross-Cultural Business Conference. Steyr Campus.
- Potratz, J. (2023). Tracking Tetrahymena Ribozyme Folding with Fluorescence. Oral Presentation. St. Edward's University. Austin, TX.
- Potratz, J. (2023). Tracking Tetrahymena Ribozyme Folding with Fluorescence. Oral Presentation. Concordia University Texas. Austin, TX.
- Potratz, J. (2021). A Card Game Reveals the Scientific Method. Oral Presentation. Association of Lutheran College Faculties (ALCF) 85th Annual Conference. Austin, TX.
- Potratz, J. (2018). KinTek Explorer: Getting the students' feet wet. Oral Presentation. National ACS Meeting. Boston, MA.
Research Interests
- RNA Folding
- Technology in the Classroom
Teaching Interests
- Biochemistry
- Kinetics
Paul Strycker
Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Office: Loeber Hall 013B
Phone: (262) 243-4516
Bio
Paul Strycker invites students to observe God's natural world, to discover the principles through which He gives it order, and to apply correct logic when connecting phenomena with these principles.
Education
- Ph D - Astronomy, New Mexico State University (2011)
- MS - Astronomy, New Mexico State University (2009)
- BS - Physics, University of Notre Dame (2005)
Contributions
- Strycker, P., Chanover, N., Temme, R., Schotte, J., Mueller, P. & Karls, E. (2022). Time Series Analysis Methods and Detectability Factors for Ground-Based Imaging of the LCROSS Impact Plume. (1 ed., vol. 15, pp. 21). Basel: Remote Sensing. https://doi.org/1...
- Dahl, E., Chanover, N., Orton, G., Baines, K., Sinclair, J., Voelz, D., Wijerathna, E., Strycker, P. & Irwin, P. (2021). Vertical Structure and Color of Jovian Latitudinal Cloud Bands during the Juno Era. (1 ed., vol. 2). The Planetary Science Journal. https://iopscienc...
- Luchsinger, K., Chanover, N. & Strycker, P. (2021). Water Within a Permanently Shadowed Lunar Crater: Further LCROSS Modeling and Analysis. (vol. 354). Icarus. https://doi.org/1...
Presentations
- Strycker, P. (2019). "Science, meet Classical Education. Classical Education, this is Science.". Oral Presentation. Concordia University Wisconsin Classical Education Conference. Mequon, Wisconsin.
- Mueller, P., Karls, E., Strycker, P. & Chanover, N., (2018). Ejecta Plume Detectability in the NMSU-NASA Marshall Space Flight Center LCROSS Observational Campaign using PCA Filtering. Poster. 50th annual meeting of the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society. Knoxville, Tennessee.
- Luchsinger, K., Chanover, N., Strycker, P. & Miller, C., (2018). Investigating stratification of lunar regolith through modeling of the ground based detection of the LCROSS debris plume light curve. Poster. 50th annual meeting of the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society. Knoxville, Tennessee.
- Strycker, P., Schotte, J., Temme, R. & Chanover, N., (2017). Detectability Factors for Earth-based Imaging of the LCROSS Ejecta Plume. Poster. 49th annual meeting of the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society. Provo, Utah.
- Schotte, J., Temme, R., Strycker, P. & Chanover, N., (2017). Comparisons of Impact Plume Detections in Publicly Archived LCROSS Time Series Observations. Poster. 48th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. The Woodlands, Texas.
Research Interests
- Telescopic Solar System Observations using Time-Resolved and Hyperspectral Imaging
- Low Signal-to-Noise Ratio Transient Event Detection
Teaching Interests
- Astronomy & Astrophysics
- Physics
Dylan J. Thompson
Associate Professor
Phone: (262) 243-2019
Bio
Dr. Thompson is an Inorganic Chemist and has been teaching at CUW since obtaining his Ph.D. from Purdue university in 2014.
Education
- Ph D - Purdue University (2014)
- BS - Chemistry, Hillsdale College (2009)
- CueNET (2018)
Contributions
- Thompson, D. (2019). Science and the Church Militant. Athanatos Publishing Group.
Presentations
- Thompson, D. (2021). The Nature of Truth, Connecting Faith and Science: An Active Learning Exercise. Oral Presentation. CCLE XXI .
Research Interests
- Catalysis with polyoxometalate catalysts
Teaching Interests
- Discussing Faith and Science
Scott G. Van Ornum
Ph.D.
Program Director, Professor
Office: Loeber Hall 010
Phone: (262) 243-4488
Bio
Dr. Scott Van Ornum teaches Organic Chemistry I and II and Advanced Organic Chemistry. He is the Director of Concordia’s Master of Science in Product Development program where he teaches courses related to process chemistry. His research interests include the synthesis of polyquinanes via the Pauson-Khand reaction and synthesis of neuromuscular blocking compounds.
Education
- Ph D - Organic Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (1998)
- BS - Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (1992)
Contributions
- Lewandowski, N., Bichler, K., Fisher, L., Sullivan, B., Korman, M., Paz, E., Imhoff, A. & , . (2020). Process Development of the Weiss−Cook Reaction for the Preparation of cis-1,5-Dimethylbicyclo[3.3.0]octane-3,7-dione in the Undergraduate Organic Laboratory. In Tom Holme (Ed.), (10 ed., vol. 97, pp. 3835-3838). On-Line: Journal of Chemical Education. https://pubs.acs....
Research Interests
- Polyquinanes via the Pauson-Khand Reaction
- Neuromuscular Blocking Compounds
Teaching Interests
- Organic Chemistry
- Process Chemistry Development
Aaron D. Viets
Ph.D. Physics
Assistant Professor
Office: Loeber Hall 013 A
Phone: (262) 243-2194
Education
- Ph D - Gravitational-wave Physics, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee (2019)
- BS - Physics, Missouri University of Science and Technology (2012)
Research Interests
- Gravitational Waves
- LIGO Calibration
Teaching Interests
- Teaching Methods in STEM
- Upper-level undergraduate physics courses
Chemistry Department Instrumentation
The chemistry department has been blessed with modern equipment housed in our instrumentation room and also has access to equipment housed in the CUW School of Pharmacy. For example, the CUW SOP has a 500 MHz NMR.
UV-VIS Spectrophotometer
Spectroflourometer
High Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC)
FT-IR Spectrometer
Gas Chromatograph
Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) OES
NMR Spectrometer
Faculty Research Projects
The chemistry faculty at CUW involve undergraduate students in their research projects. This is an excellent way for students to engage more with their degree program, to learn to become independent scientists, and to get training applicable for graduate school or employment at a company. If this sounds interesting, check out the research projects below and contact the appropriate professor to discuss your interest. CUW also has a dedicated Undergraduate Research Program for all majors.
Active research projects
Biochemistry
- Using fluorescence to track the folding and misfolding process of ribozymes (Dr. Potratz)
- Investigation of the metabolic rates of drug-metabolizing enzymes (Dr. Bichler)
Chemical Education
- Technology in the classroom and lab (Dr. Potratz)
- Understanding how students develop and interact with scientific models (Dr. Beck)
- Organic laboratory pedagogy (Dr. Bichler)
Computational
- Modeling cluster ion formation, isomerization, and spectroscopy (Dr. Beck)
Inorganic
- Catalytic applications of polyoxometalate complexes (Dr. Thompson)
- Optimization of synthetic processes of ligands for use in forming metal complexes (Dr. Barnett)
Organic
- Organometallic microwave cyclization reactions (Dr. Van Ornum)
- Neuromuscular blocking analog preparations (Dr. Van Ornum)
Student and Faculty Publications
(CUW professors and students bolded)
2022
- Beck, J. & Miller, D.
2021
- Dahl, E., Chanover, N., Orton, G., Baines, K., Sinclair, J., Voelz, D., Wijerathna, E., Strycker, P. & Irwin, P.
Point absorbers in Advanced LIGO. Applied Optics Vol. 60, Issue 13, pp. 4047-4063
- Aaron D. Viets (and many others)
2020
- J. Beck, M. Muniz, C. Crickmore, & L. Sizemore
- Kristen M. Luchsinger, Nancy J. Chanover, Paul D. Strycker
- Matthew Korman, Eric Paz, Tylor Franklin, Nicholas R. Lewandowski, Bethany Sullivan, Andrea M. Imhoff, Luke Fisher, Katherine A. Bichler, and Scott G. Van Ornum
Structural Insights into tRNA via Hypochromism. Journal of Chemical Education 2020 97 (11), 4179-418
- Emily R. Mowrer and Jeffrey P. Potratz
- Ling Sun, Evan Goetz, Jeffrey S Kissel, Joseph Betzwieser, Sudarshan Karki, Aaron Viets , Madeline Wade, Dripta Bhattacharjee, Vladimir Bossilkov, Pep B Covas
Chemistry Alumni
Our graduates have gone on to graduate school, professional programs, and straight into the workforce. See the map below for a sample of where some of our graduates have matriculated right after earning a chemistry degree from CUW.