Office & Contact Information

Chemistry studies the composition of matter, its structure, and the means by which it is converted from one form to another.

The Program

The Department of Chemistry offers two Bachelor of Science degree emphases under the heading of Applied Chemistry: Environmental Chemistry and Forensic Chemistry. The B.S. emphasis in Applied Chemistry falls outside of the classical chemistry degree and instead draws on significant course material from areas relevant to their particular fields. The Environmental Chemistry program provides students with tools to understand the processes governing chemical transformations in soil, air, and water, analyze key substances in the environment, and make meaningful predictions about the fates of these chemicals. The Forensic Chemistry program involves the identification and quantification of scientific evidence both in the natural environment and in urban settings, including substances sometimes available in only trace amounts.

Career Alternatives

Environmental chemistry graduates with the bachelor's degree will be able to pursue advanced degrees in areas such as atmospheric chemistry, geochemistry, toxicology, and environmental science. They will also have access to a range of scientific careers including regulatory agencies, environmental consulting firms, and industries concerned with the environmental impacts and fates of their products. Forensic chemistry graduates will be able to pursue careers in private forensic labs as well as law enforcement and regulatory agencies at many levels, including police and sheriff’s departments, district attorney crime labs, and laboratories of federal agencies including the FBI, DEA, FDA, and many others.

Major Advisor

To contact a major advisor in the Department of Chemistry, see Academic Advising.

Honors & Honors Program

The student must take CHE 194HA, CHE 194HB, & CHE 194HC, and complete a capstone research project (typically a written honors thesis). For more information, see Undergraduate Research on the department's website.

Graduate Study

The Department of Chemistry offers programs of study and research leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry. Detailed information regarding graduate study may be obtained by contacting the Graduate Advisor, Department of Chemistry. See also Graduate Studies.

The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Degree Requirements & College Degree Requirements; unless otherwise noted. Respective of the Emphasis, the minimum number of units required for the Applied Chemistry Bachelor of Science are 95 & 99.

Environmental Chemistry Emphasis

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CHE 199 strongly encouraged.

Forensic Chemistry Emphasis

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CHE 199 strongly encouraged.