Departmental History

The Department of Chemistry at Community College of Philadelphia was one of the founding departments when The College began operation in 1964. The initial offering of General College Chemistry almost immediately was followed with a full year of Organic Chemistry and a one semester course in Analytical Chemistry. Rapid growth of the College and the addition of a Chemical Technology Curriculum brought about further expansion of course offerings and additional full time and adjunct faculty. Presently there are 10 full time faculty chemists and over 20 adjunct chemistry faculty. The Department operates five modern teaching laboratories at the Main Campus, a laboratory at the Northwest Regional Center and 2 laboratories at the Northeast Regional Center.

The Department was cited in 1987 by the American Chemical Society as being one of the top five Chemistry Departments in the nation's approximately 1500 two year colleges. The Department was twice used as a model by the American Chemical Society to develop guidelines for accrediting chemistry departments in all community colleges and junior colleges nationally. Today, the Department is one of the very few two year colleges recognized by American Chemical Society.

Students can earn an Associate in Science degree and transfer their credits to a Baccalaureate institution in any science or pre-professional program, or they can obtain the two year degree of Associate in Applied Science in Chemical Technology which more closely aligns with a four-year degree in chemistry. In addition, those with the AAS technology degree are also ready for immediate employment in a variety of laboratory positions and could continue their education while being employed.

A wide variety of both in-house and distance courses are offered. Laboratories are very well equipped with modern chemical instrumentation, and all laboratories are wired for computer technology.