As a chemistry major at Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK, you’ll receive a solid foundation in chemical theories and laboratory techniques, preparing you for a range of career opportunities in chemical or pharmaceutical industries, government laboratories and academia.

Program Snapshot

Program Type Format Credit Hours
Major, Minor On Campus 121 (22 for minor)

Why Study Chemistry at Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK?

Begin using state-of-the-art chemical instruments in your first year. Conduct research side by side with expert professors. The department possesses a wide range of modern spectroscopic and separations instruments, thermal analysis facilities, and equipment for synthesis and analysis.

The program is approved by the American Chemical Society, and students graduating with a BS in chemistry are certified for membership. The comprehensive curriculum and hands-on experience offer great preparation for graduate or professional school, and they make Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK grads sought-after employees.

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA)
  • Bachelor of Science (BS)
  • Chemistry Minor
  • Chemistry BA with Secondary Education Minor

BA Chemistry majors may enhance their degree with a concentration in:

  • pre-medical studies
  • forensic science
  • computer science
  • sustainability
  • business
  • art

What Will You Learn as a Chemistry Student?

  • You’ll explore a comprehensive curriculum in analytical, organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, as well as biochemistry.
  • Get hands-on experience with a vast array of instruments, including the region’s largest nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer.
  • Develop written and oral scientific skills that enhance your ability to communicate effectively in any setting.
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Program Highlights

Research Opportunities

You’ll find ample opportunity to participate in research. All chemistry majors complete a capstone senior research project. However, you can get involved as early as your first year.

Independent Study

Collaborate in novel projects with many related disciplines, such as biology, pharmacy, computer science, and others. Projects include organic synthesis, biochemical investigations, materials science, analytical chemistry, and computational chemistry.

Chemistry Club

Join the super-active, award-winning Chemistry Club, which takes outreach programs to local schools, travels to present research at conferences around the country, and visits interesting places like the Corning Museum of Glass and the Priestley House.

100%

of chemistry majors complete a senior research project

400

megahertz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer - the largest in the region

72,000

square feet of space for experiential learning in the Cohen Science Center

Facilities and Instrumentation

Cohen Science Center

The 72,500-square-foot, LEED-certified Cohen Science Center features state-of-the-art equipment and laboratory space for hands-on, experiential learning – a hallmark of the Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK experience.

Chemistry Instrumentation

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry maintains a wide variety of chemical instrumentation and facilities:

  • 400-megahertz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer
  • Microwave reactor
  • Infrared spectrometer
  • High-pressure liquid chromatography
  • Gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer
  • Electrospray mass spectrometer
  • Capillary electrophoresis
  • Circular dichroism spectrometer
  • Ultraviolet/visible spectrometer
  • Fluorimeter
  • Stopped flow fast kinetics instrumentation
  • Ozone generator
  • Parr hydrogenator
  • Calorimeter

Chemical Library

The department houses computer equipment for online access to the American Chemistry Society Archives and many other scientific online journals. Additional library resources are available in the main campus library, the Farley Library.

Chemical Stockroom

The department maintains a large inventory of routinely used chemical items.

Careers & Outcomes

Popular Careers

  • Forensic Chemist
  • Analytical Chemist
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Physician
  • Researcher
  • Quality Assurance Associate
  • Teacher

Recent Employers

  • Sanofi
  • Kirby Health Center
  • SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
  • HP
  • Avidea Technologies
  • Genentech
  • The Chemours Company
  • Precision BioSciences

Graduate Schools

  • Lehigh University
  • Penn State College of Medicine
  • Syracuse University
  • Texas A&M
  • Villanova University
  • Worcester Institute of Technology
  • Yale University

Students can start research as soon as they come into college. I started my first year. You can stay over the summer to do paid research.

Stephanie Ko '21 - Chemistry/Pre-med Scholar