Chemistry Events, Seminars, and other Involvement
Find out out about activites can be difficult, but our department loves it when you participate. To help you get involved, please add or bookmark our below calendar, which we try to keep current. We also announce activities on the departmental TV, social media, and at XEM (chemistry club) meetings.
Please see the calendar below for scheduled seminars, activities, and outreach.
Add this calendar to your personal google calendar by clicking on the "+GoogleCalendar" button above.
The list of field biology speakers is already accessible and can be found here:
For more information about any of these events (not biology), contact Dr. Hiatt.
Social Media
Stay involved through social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) and the events calendar found above.
Facebook: APSU Department of Chemistry (Group) 
Facebook: Austin Peay Chemistry Department (Page, @apsuchemistry)
Instagram: @apsuchemistry
Chemistry Club (XEM) may be nerdy, but only periodically!
Facebook: APSU XEM (Group)
Instagram: @apsu_xem
Chi Epsilon Mu (XEM) is Austin Peay State University's chemistry club. We are dedicated to advancing chemistry in our system and surroundings, while also having some fun. We meet once a month to enjoy company, free food, and learning a little chemistry together. XEM provides outreach to neighboring schools in the greater Clarksville-Montgomery County Area, which inspires young students to pursue fields in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Along with outreaching to younger generations, XEM also caters to college students by providing them with guest speakers in the various fields of chemistry and provides tutoring in the various core disciplines of chemistry. XEM members not only enjoy the wonderful view of chemistry laboratories and lecture halls, they enjoy competing and participating in social events in and around campus.
Email Dr. Brennan to get involved!
Approximate XEM Membership Costs
You have three options for membership: XEM only, or ACS+XEM and a subscription to Chemical and Engineering News (C&EN) magazine, or ACS+XEM without the magazine. ACS is the American Chemical Society and is the largest scientific society in the world (~157,000 members!), and our student chapter is proud to be a part of our local section (Nashville ACS). The ACS costs are fixed by the organization and our local chapter costs vary based on whether you purchase C&EN. The costs are also described in this document:
XEM Chemistry Club Membership ONLY: $15
ACS membership ($28) + APSU local chapter membership (XEM, $12): Total of $40
ACS membership ($28) + APSU local chapter membership (XEM, $9) + C&EN Magazine($28): Total of $65
Required forms that need to be completed in order to join XEM can be picked up from Dr. Carrie Brennan. Please turn in these with your money to Dr. Carrie Brennan.
Please check here throughout the school year to find upcoming events, demos, and other activities. Currently, you can also find out about our recent and upcoming activities on social media.
Chemistry Study Abroad course in Honduras
Dr. Leslie Hiatt will be taking a group of students to Honduras for a spring break trip. Students will take part in CHEM 4840 which will meet during a lab time block (3 hours per week). Students will learn to conduct demonstrations safely and effectively, practice demos with classmates, present demos to nearby elementary schools, and prepare to pass on the magic and excitement of chemistry to students in Honduras! Spring break will be spent in Honduas and the class will culminate with this study abroad experience. Request more information by speaking with Dr. Hiatt or by attending a study abroad advising session to find out about financial aid.
Perform outreach demos with schools and orphanages. Develop and improve scientific communication skills by communicating across language barriers. Additional global service and community engagement will occur through the exploration of well projects that provide safe drinking water, windmills for renewable energy, building houses, hydroponic gardens, tilapia farms, and health clinics. The class will discuss the implications of these explorations and consider the sustainability and infrastructural differences as compared to the US. Activities will be designed to expand our global perspectives through the weaving of cultural elements and environmental views into these lessons.
Chemistry Power Plays: A Workshop for Success
The Nashvile Predators Foundation provided funding through a Helper Grant for two pre-semester chemistry worshops (August 2023 and January 2024). Students who participated in this workshop were provided with calculator and goggles. They were introduced to concepts that helped them gain a good foundation toward success in General Chemistry. Much learning and fun was had by all!
This workshop will be conducted again in the 2024-2025 school year. Emails will be sent to elgible students!
Chemistry Study Abroad courses in London
Dr. Fred Matthews led a group of students to London, England, for a 10 day course in the winter of 2018. Dr. Leslie Hiatt took a group of students on a similar trip in July 2022. This was the Chemistry Department’s fourth course trip to London.
Day‐trips to various historical scientific, medical, and hospital museums
- Faraday and Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museums
- History of Science and Natural History Museums
- Old Operating Theatre, Wellcome Collection, and Hunterian Museums
- Royal Pharmaceutical Society, British Dental Association, Anaesthesia Museums
- Royal College of Surgeons of England & St Bartholomew’s Hospital Museums
- British Museum
- Sherlock Holmes Museum
Perfect opportunity for chemistry major/minor and pre-dental/medical/optical/pharmaceutical students, as it focuses on England’s scientific contributions to chemistry and medical fields!
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs)
Our department is very involved in research, during the school year and summer, but we are not currently offering any REUs. Many students participate in these programs with other universities. NSF sponsored programs typically include housing and a stipend, which allow you to experience research at another university.
NSF Sponsored REUs in Chemistry can be found through this link.