Except for some introductory chemistry laboratories, all laboratory and class sections for chemistry majors are taught by chemistry faculty members. The department has a variety of modern scientific equipment, which students are encouraged to use. Instruments and equipment include nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers, several infrared and visible ultraviolet spectrophotometers, a spectrofluorometer, atomic absorption and emission spectrometers, a mass spectrometer, gas and high performance liquid chromatographs, spinning band distillation columns, ultracentrifuges, and computers. The department has several research laboratories, and many seniors are assigned office and research space. As a laboratory chemist, one works with chemical or pharmaceutical firms, fossil fuel processors, materials testing laboratories, scientific equipment companies, or consumer product development.
Chemists also work in state police laboratories and environmental monitoring agencies.
Careers can be found in sales or marketing for chemical, pharmaceutical, or scientific instrument manufacturers and distributors. The number of jobs for chemists with computer expertise is increasing in the private and government sectors, and in academic settings.