Out of the 37 majors at Guilford, the chemistry department is notable for its accessible courses, supportive learning environment and relevance to a wide range of career paths—even among students who are not traditional college students.
For students at the Early College, Guilford chemistry often serves as an academic introduction to the field and a potential stepping stone into future careers. Junior Nayani Annamalai initially enrolled in chemistry to fulfill a graduation requirement but quickly found herself engaged with the subject.
“I’ve never taken a chemistry class before, and I wanted to learn more about what it’s about,” Annamalai said. “I really liked it. The subject is interesting, so I decided to take CHEM-112 as well.”
Annamalai is considering taking more advanced courses, such as Organic Chemistry I, or moving on to biology. She noted that chemistry has provided her with a strong foundation in scientific principles, which aligns with her interest in biomedical engineering.
Her experience highlights one of the department’s key strengths: its ability to introduce students to complex concepts in an approachable way. For many Early College students, chemistry is not just a requirement, but an opportunity to explore potential career interests before committing to a major in college.
Junior Ayuzah Shah echoed this sentiment, emphasizing how chemistry connects directly to her academic and career goals. As a high school student planning to pursue a pre-med track, Shah chose to take chemistry at Guilford because of the department’s smaller, more personalized learning environment compared to the large schools where she may end up attending.
“At Guilford, the tight-knit community makes it easier to learn challenging material,” Shah said. “I thought the concepts of organic chemistry would be a lot harder to learn in a larger environment.”
Shah’s interest in chemistry is rooted in real-world applications. “I’ve always been interested in how chemicals work in the human body,” Shah said. “Learning chemistry means I get to discover the inside aspects of these drugs.”
Beyond course content, Shah highlighted the department’s academic support system as a major advantage.
“There have been multiple times where I either missed class or I didn’t understand something, and I was easily able to make an office hour appointment with my professor,” Shah said. “The private tutoring really helped me understand the concepts a lot better.”
This emphasis on individualized support distinguishes the chemistry department from larger programs at other institutions, where students may struggle to receive one-on-one attention. The department’s structure allows students to engage directly with faculty and seek help when needed. Classes are often divided into smaller groups, contributing to a more collaborative learning environment.
Even with its strong support system, students also acknowledge potential challenges. Chemistry courses are often rigorous, requiring consistent effort and strong time management skills. Additionally, for students still exploring their academic interests, deciding whether to continue into advanced courses like organic chemistry can be a difficult choice.
Despite these challenges, Shah and Annamalai recommend that other students consider taking introductory chemistry courses. As Annamalai suggested, starting with a course like CHEM-111 allows students to gauge their interest and build confidence before moving forward in their studies, as it introduces fundamental concepts like bonding, atomic structure, and basic laboratory techniques.
For students interested in pursuing chemistry or other STEM fields, the Guilford College chemistry department provides a solid foundation—one where, with the right effort, no student gets lost in the crowd.
