Coursework in chemistry seeks to acquaint students with fundamental chemical principles, teach students to apply these principles broadly and effectively, and enable students to evaluate critically the impact of chemistry on society. In addition to providing a working knowledge of chemical principles, a major in chemistry offers experience in critical thinking, data analysis and experimental design. Chemistry graduates pursue a variety of careers in which these skills are important. Many work as chemists in chemical or pharmaceutical companies or in government labs. Others apply their chemical skills to careers in medicine, law, business, chemical or pharmaceutical sales, biotechnology, pharmacology, toxicology or environmental science.
Many chemistry graduates pursue careers in education at the secondary, college or university level.
The department emphasizes the importance of research experience. The opportunity to engage in an original experimental investigation, in collaboration with a faculty member, is a distinctive feature of this program. The chemistry major may be pursued under either the bachelor of arts or the bachelor of science degree programs. MATH 202 and PHYS 212 are strongly recommended. Electives in chemistry during the senior year may be chosen from any of the 300-level undergraduate courses in chemistry.