Students majoring in chemistry typically enter positions in private, academic, or government laboratories, or they enroll in graduate or professional schools. There are outstanding opportunities for graduate study in chemistry. A bachelor’s degree in chemistry provides excellent preparation for graduate study in a number of other fields, including business, dentistry, engineering, environmental studies, forensic science, law, medical technology, medicine, oceanography, pharmacology, teaching, and veterinary medicine.
The Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society (ACS) has approved the chemistry program’s curricular offerings, faculty, and facilities. Students who complete the approved program are certified by the American Chemical Society and become eligible for full membership in the society upon graduation. The ACS certified degree options are strongly encouraged for students planning to attend graduate school or seeking employment in industrial or research positions.
The degree option in forensic chemistry is designed on the recommendations of the National Institute of Justice and is excellent preparation for students seeking employment as a forensic laboratory technician.
The bachelor of arts in chemistry is specifically designed for students with career aspirations related to health care, including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician’s assistant, and veterinary medicine. The required courses are based on the recommendations of the Association of American Medical Colleges and the top healthcare graduate programs in the United States.
Chemistry Program Capstone
All chemistry majors are required to complete a capstone project. Depending on whether students are pursuing a BA or BS, capstone projects may be either lab-based or literature-based. BS Chemistry students base their capstone on original, lab-based research with a faculty advisor. BA Chemistry students capstone projects are comprised of a literature review of a chemistry-related topic of interest.
By the third year, all chemistry majors enroll in a course sequence of chemical communications in preparation to conduct their capstone research project. Throughout the course sequence, students learn how to retrieve, organize, and cite chemical information. Students ultimately prepare a review paper, research proposal, and oral presentation relating to their capstone research project.
Capstone topics with faculty research advisors include:
Environmental Metal Sequestration
Computational Modeling of Tuberculosis Enzymes
Antioxidant and Antitumor Compounds
Snake Venom
Wine Astringency
Flavor Compounds and Wine Production
Melatonin-inspired Therapeutics for Sleep Disorders
Trace Substances and Pesticides in Honey
Fluoride in Foods
Metals in Soils
Paper Analytical Devices
Human Nutritional Supplements
Artificial Protein Structures