About Us

Chemistry at Chapman University

The department of chemistry at Chapman University offers the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in chemistry (professional) with an environmental chemistry track and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biochemistry. Our programs provide comprehensive learning experiences in classroom theories and laboratory applications with a personal touch. Faculty members in the Department of Chemistry (among the most accessible and available in the University) have active research programs involving undergraduate students, which provide students with excellent opportunities to gain research experience over the course of two or three years. Our faculty members conduct exciting research in various areas of chemistry, including environmental chemistry. Many of our students have presented their research results at national and local conferences and several have been included as co-authors on peer-reviewed journal articles.

The B.S. degree in chemistry (professional) is patterned after guidelines from the American Chemical Society. The program therefore offers students the opportunity to pursue advanced degrees in chemistry, chemical physics, forensics or biochemistry, and a career in the chemical industry. The environmental chemistry track is suitable for students who are interested in graduate school in either chemistry or environmental chemistry, or who want futures in environmental consulting or environmental analytical laboratories.

The B.S. degree in biochemistry is an integrated degree that allows students to study the molecular mechanisms that constitute living systems and is intended primarily for students preparing for medical or dental school, optometry school, and industrial positions in technical sales, marketing, customer relations, graduate work in the field of biochemistry or in the biomedical sciences and for employment as a biochemist in government and industry. The biochemistry major incorporates all skills and learning outcomes recommended by the ASBMB (American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) guidelines for an undergraduate degree.

Thus, all our degree programs are suitable as terminal degree programs as well as for preparation for more advanced study in chemistry, environmental chemistry and biochemistry, or as preparation for many professional programs in a variety of career fields. A large number of free electives in the degree programs allow students to take courses in interdisciplinary focus areas. In order to optimize each student's program of study to meet individual needs all chemistry majors are assigned to Ph.D. chemistry faculty advisors fully familiar with the many options available in chemistry and biochemistry careers.