All chemistry majors earn a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, and may add a concentration in biochemistry or chemical physics. Depending upon the classes taken, a variety of career paths are available, including employment in a (bio)chemically related industry or research career, graduate studies, or health professions. Students may also combine the B.S. degree with a minor or second major in business, entrepreneurship, education, information science, pre-law, or sociology/criminology.
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
A chemistry degree grounded in a liberal arts education gives you a perspective that many other institutions just can’t provide. Our department is approved by the American Chemical Society, a recognition that is given to programs that offer a broad-based and rigorous chemistry education, giving students intellectual, experimental, and communication skills to become effective scientific professionals.
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Chemistry Highlights
42
Percentage of Majors Involved in Undergraduate Research On and Off Campus
Why Chemistry?
Chemistry connects many of the other fields of science. For this reason, a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ will prepare you for a career in a variety of fields. We can tailor the biochemistry concentration to prepare you for a bio-medical research position or fulfill the medical, dental, pharmacy, or other health professional school requirements you will need. If you are interested in employment in a chemically-related field, graduate school, or a research career, you will find that the B.S. in Chemistry and chemical physics concentration prepares you to be a highly competitive candidate. Perhaps you want to combine chemistry with another field like law, business, or sociology (forensics). The B.S. degree coursework can be combined with a second major or minor in another field. So whatever your career goals, the chemistry program is flexible enough to meet your needs.
Undergraduate research is a useful way to develop the skills you will need in your career field, even if you are not planning to be a researcher. Not surprisingly, those who participate in research mature their skills at a faster rate than those who do not participate. This provides you with a distinct advantage for entering the workforce or acceptance for additional schooling. Learn more about research opportunities.
After graduation, chemistry majors either gain employment in a (bio)chemically related field, go on to graduate programs in chemistry, biochemistry, neuroscience, or engineering, or enter a health professions program. Learn more about career opportunities here.
The Department has nine full-time faculty and three full-time staff members. One or two part-time faculty will teach various courses. All faculty are research active and involve undergraduate students in their programs. View our faculty directory here.
Is it possible for chemistry majors to study abroad? Yes. It will require careful planning with your academic advisor early in your career – but yes, many chemistry majors have studied in Ireland or Spain. Please consult the Center for Global Education website for more details and application procedures.
To view a sample chemistry major study plan including studying abroad, click here.
News & Events
October 12
NSF Awards $2.5 Million S-STEM Grant to JCU, Largest in the Institution’s History
