Our department is certified by the American Chemical Society. With the early influence of our faculty, Union has developed a strong tradition for sending students on for advanced study and to leadership positions in industry. For example, in the past three years 24 percent of Union's chemistry and biochemistry graduates have gone on to graduate school and 30 percent to medical and management schools. Moreover, Union graduates have recently served as chief executive officers of DuPont, Eastman Kodak, and Merck Pharmaceuticals and as presidents or vice presidents in charge of research and development for Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals and Mobil. Our faculty maintain active research programs involving undergraduates.
Students enter graduate schools, professional schools, and industry from both programs.
In addition, the Chemistry and Biology Departments jointly offer a major in biochemistry, which requires seven courses from each department. In addition to the introductory courses in each of the principal fields of chemistry, we offer advanced courses in organic, physical, analytical, inorganic, polymer, and biochemistry. Moreover, four courses are offered for non-science majors as part of the General Education curriculum at the College. Our courses emphasize a broad understanding of everyday phenomena viewed from a molecular perspective and an in-depth understanding of chemical principles. The department also strongly encourages faculty-directed undergraduate research.