Dr. Scott Mason
Department: Chemistry
What type of interesting features do you incorporate into your classes?
I try to teach problem solving skills in my classes. These skills are not just used in chemistry but are essential in all aspects of ones life. It may not seem that determining how much base is needed to neutralize an acid and determining why your car won't start are related, but the underlying way in solving both are the same. I also try to relate chemistry to everyday life as much as I can.
In your opinion, how is Mount Union College unique from other small liberal arts colleges?
There is a real sense of community at Mount. I have heard from other faculty and from prospective students and their parents that they felt like they belonged here right from the start. This is something that I can understand because I, too, felt this upon visiting Mount for the first time. I am also an alumnus, class of ’89.
Mount also benefits from a dedicated alumni base who support the school and its mission. The chemistry department has most obviously benefited from this in the building of Bracy Hall, our new science facility. Most of the money used in its construction came from alumni of Mount Union. Chemistry alumni also support several scholarships given by the department. Other alums and the businesses they work for have donated equipment and instruments to the department. Most recently, a summer research fellowship has been set up by an alumnus to support our students in performing research projects during the summer months.
How do Mount Union students benefit from attending a small school as opposed to a larger school?
Obviously, a student will get more personal attention at a smaller college. Professors will know you by name, very early on in the semester. You will not go through as a nameless face in the crowd. You will be able to seek out help directly from the professor, not from a teaching assistant. Teaching is the faculty's number one concern.
Specifically in chemistry, our students have the opportunity to get involved with research projects as early as their freshman year, if they choose. A majority of our majors have already done some research by the end of their sophomore year. This gives them a real advantage in later finding employment or placement in graduate or professional schools. This summer, our chemistry majors will be doing research at places like Harvard Medical School, the University of Akron Polymer Institute, California Institute of Technology and the University of Virginia Medical School and will be working at Sherwin Williams Research in Cleveland and for Severn Trent Labs in Canton. Being able to work closely with faculty is also an advantage when it comes to getting references and letters of recommendations.
Have you done any interesting research or developed any interesting courses at Mount Union? If so, explain.
My area of interest in research is in synthetic inorganic chemistry. Simply, we want to make new compounds which have one or more metal atoms in them. In particular, we are looking at some of the heavier metals which are environmental toxins. Hopefully, our research will be beneficial to aiding in the clean-up of these metals.
What kinds of opportunities do Mount Union students have after graduating from College?
Chemistry and biochemistry majors have gone on to a variety of fields. About one third go on to graduate school in area such as chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, forensic science, neuroscience and others. About a third go on to professional schools -- medical, dental and law. The final third goes directly into the workforce, doing things like working in environmental and analytical laboratories, working in chemical sales and teaching high school chemistry.
In what activities do you participate in your spare time?
I enjoy spending time with my wife and 4 children. I am involved in many activities in my church including serving as an elder, teaching Sunday school and preaching from time to time. I coach youth soccer and youth basketball.