The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry supports the mission of the College by contributing to teaching, learning, and scholarship within chemistry and disciplines that intersect with chemistry.  The Department helps students develop an understanding of the foundational theories of chemistry, apply these theories to the practice of reasoning from evidence, communicate with scientific audiences and the general population, and appreciate the role of science in society. Through hands-on experimentation in instructional and research laboratories students learn the extent to which the reliability of conclusions is influenced by the quality of those observations.  Faculty and students conduct scholarly work, including original investigations in their particular areas and in the pedagogy of chemistry instruction.  The department supports collaboration of faculty and students across disciplines and endeavors to create a supportive, inclusive environment for all members of the Bates community interested in chemistry and related fields.