Chemistry & Biochemistry Department
Chemistry and biochemistry serve as bridges between physical, life, and applied sciences, preparing graduates for careers in fields like medicine, forensic science, and renewable materials.
The Mund-Lagowski Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Bradley University offers degrees in chemistry and biochemistry, with customizable concentrations in areas such as pre-health professions, chemical engineering, and education. Students gain a strong foundation in analytical, organic, inorganic, physical, and biochemistry, with opportunities for faculty-mentored research.
Graduate degrees are available in traditional and accelerated formats, along with a chemistry minor. The program emphasizes ethical scientific practices, problem-solving, collaboration, and effective communication, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for scientific and professional success.
Majors
Biochemistry
Build a strong foundation in both biology and chemistry with the option to continue your education in the BS/MS Biochemistry program
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Chemistry
Focus your learning with degree concentrations in Chemical Engineering, Business, Premed, Pre-Pharmacy, Environmental Science or High School Education. Continue your education in the combined BS/MS Chemistry program. A minor in Chemistry is also available.
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Interdisciplinary Programs
Environmental Science
Explore ecosystems and natural resources with the options to concentrate your degree in either Chemistry or Biology.
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Medical Laboratory Science
Equip yourself with the scientific foundation and hands-on experience needed for a career in hospital, forensic, environmental, industrial, and research labs.
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Graduate Programs
Biochemistry (MS)
Explore in-depth foundations of chemical living systems and become an expert with a scientific foundation.
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Chemistry (MA/MS)
Expand your understanding of chemical principles while preparing you for career advancement, professional school, or Ph.D. studies.
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Minors
Departmental Resources
Health Professions Career Advising
For health careers that will require continuing your education and training beyond your Bradley degree, you can choose from a variety of Bradley majors and experiences to personalize your preparation. Explore the options at Bradley and if you don’t see the health career you are looking for on this list, just ask!
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DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS
ACS Collegiate Scholastic Award
Since 1951, the Heartland Section of the American Chemical Society has presented Awards to outstanding seniors in programs at six colleges or universities in Central Illinois.
Carl Wilhelm Scheele Scholastic Award
This prestigious Award, established in 1914, is presented to a senior in recognition of superior scholarship and promise.
John H. Shroyer Service Award in Chemistry
This Award, established in 1974, recognizes outstanding service to the department by graduating seniors.
American Chemical Society (ACS) Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry
The ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry sponsors the award, presented yearly to a student who has excelled in analytical chemistry.
American Chemical Society (ACS) Undergraduate Award in Organic Chemistry
The ACS Division of Organic Chemistry sponsors the award, Presented yearly to a senior who has excelled in organic chemistry.
CRC Press First Year Achievement Award
CRC Press, LLC sponsors the award, presented yearly to a student who has excelled in first-year chemistry.
Hypercube Scholar Award
Hypercube, Inc. sponsors the award, presented yearly to a student who has excelled in physical chemistry.
POLYED Undergraduate Award in Organic Chemistry
The ACS POLYED Organic Chemistry Award is bestowed yearly upon a student for outstanding performance in both the lecture and laboratory components of organic chemistry.
Robert B. Gayhart Award in Chemical Education
The Robert B. Gayhart Award in Chemical Education recognizes an outstanding student majoring in chemistry-secondary education.
STUDENT AWARDS
Academic Excellence Award in Biochemistry
Presented annually by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to an outstanding graduating senior majoring in biochemistry.
Academic Excellence Award in Chemistry
Presented annually by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to an outstanding graduating senior majoring in chemistry.
Academic Excellence Award in Environmental Science-Chemistry
Presented annually by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to an outstanding graduating senior majoring in environmental science-chemistry.
Phi Kappa Phi Academic Hall of Fame
Presented annually by the Bradley University Chapter of the National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi to a maximum of five outstanding graduating University seniors.
The Class of 1974 established the department’s initial fund, The Shroyer Fund. Since that time, through the extraordinary generosity of alumni, faculty, parents and friends, the funds listed below have been established and a number of them are endowed. Support for these lasting legacies demonstrates a commitment to ensuring the continued success of our programs via scholarships, lectureships, instrument and library acquisitions, student research stipends and much more.
Endowed funds can be created by gifting resources to the University in honor or memory of an individual or named after the founding donor, organization, foundation or corporation; the gift is invested, with similar funds, to generate income which may then be spent by the department to fulfill the donor’s intent. Departmental benefactors may donate to existing funds or request information about creating a new endowed fund.
Room Dedications
Although many areas of the department have been named, opportunities remain for dedicating the following spaces within the department: organic prep-room, chair suite, instrument rooms, classrooms, and the biochemical, organic, analytical and inorganic laboratories. Naming is recognized via hanging an inscribed plaque at the entrance to the space. Departmental benefactors may request information about crating a naming legacy.
Endres-Pacey Endowed Student Research Fund
This fund is named to honor two Bradley University Chemistry alumni who had distinguished teaching and research careers at state universities in Ohio. Dr. Paul Endres graduated from Bradley in 1962 and taught at Bowling Green State University until his retirement in 2010. Dr. Gil Pacey graduated from Bradley in 1974 and taught at Miami University; he also retired in 2010. The fund was started with contributions from the estates of Dr. Endres and Dr. Pacey. Additional finances came from Dr. Pacey’s friends and colleagues after his death.
Earnings from the endowment provide stipends to students engaged in chemical or biochemical research at Bradley. Recipients of the endowment must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the major’s required courses. Additional finances available after stipend award(s) may be used to purchase supplies for the recipient(s) research. Earnings from the endowment are not to be used to provide stipends for the faculty.
Heuser Research Fund
Raymond and Esther Heuser were well known for their philanthropic efforts in the Peoria community and at Bradley. In 1984 they won the President’s Award for “their monumental impact on the University” and “their pioneering role in the establishment of Bradley’s scholarship program.” The Heuser Research Fund was established in 1985 through the generosity of the Heusers and is jointly administered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering and Technology. Within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences the fund’s earnings are equally divided between the Departments of Chemistry and Physics. Some suggested uses for the fund include: stipends for faculty and student research, research related equipment and supplies, publication charges and travel support for technical seminars, workshops and conferences related to research activities.
Shroyer Chemistry Fund
This unique fund was created in 1974 with the strong encouragement and active participation of the class of 1974. The initial funding was by the members of that class based on their earnings from a number of projects they undertook – some with faculty, others on their own. Alumni, faculty and friends have continued to support the fund since its establishment. The Shroyer Chemistry Fund, both principal and interest, can be used by the chemistry faculty, with approval of the chairperson in any way that will aid, enrich, or further Chemistry or Biochemistry at Bradley University. Recently monies from the fund have been used to upgrade a number of instruments (NMR, FID-GCs, FT-IR, ICP, X-ray, etc.). This fund has been of great value in helping the department maintain and update its instrument holdings.
Bhagat Singh Fund
The Bhagat Singh Fund was established in 1988 by the family, friends and colleagues of Dr. Singh. It was started to provide funds for scholarships and educational projects that enhance student learning.
Dr. Singh came to Peoria via Shankar, Jullundur, Punjab, India. After completing high school in India, Dr. Singh attended the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Illinois (B.S., electrical engineering). He also earned the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Illinois, the latter in 1940. He worked for the American Gas Association (Cleveland) and Corn Products (Argo), then came to Bradley University in 1948. Upon his retirement in 1977, he taught part-time until his death in 1997. Dr. Singh received Bradley’s prestigious Putnam Award for excellence in teaching in 1964.
Chemistry Endowed Frontiers Fund
In 1998 the Department endowed this fund by transferring monies from the Shroyer Chemistry Fund. Since that time the fund has grown through gifts by friends, alumni, faculty and remainder trusts. The goal of the fund is to provide earnings, which can be used by the faculty to support stipends for students engaged in non-credit research, associated chemicals and supplies, other expenses associated with the research and its presentation or publication.
Hasbrouck Chemistry Endowment Fund
Richard B. Hasbrouck studied in the Department during the 1930s. He earned a Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1942 and was employed as a research chemist at DuPont Co. and Abbott Labs. In December 1993, he gave 700 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock to the department and Abbott labs matched a portion of the gift. Dr. Hasbrouck’s wish was for the gift, approximately $25,000, to be used “for laboratories or other facilities for the Chemistry Department.” Dr. Hasbrouck also established a Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust with Bradley in 1994. Those funds were designated for his namesake resource center or a chemical or scientific library.
Faculty converted an underused laboratory, Olin Hall 204, into the Richard B. Hasbrouck Student Resource Center. The monies were used to remove laboratory benches, purchase study tables and shelving for the Chemical Abstracts, carpet the floor, and install a small kitchenette. The remainder Dr. Hasbrouck’s initial gift purchased computers and copies of PC Spartan Plus for the center.
Luella Nunes Bensing Chemistry Endowed Book Fund
This endowed fund was established in 1958 in memory of Mrs. Luella Nunes Bensing by her sons, Eric B.S. ’32, Karl, and Orville B.A. ’28, M.S. ’51. The endowment interest is used to purchase library books, especially monographs and books devoted to special topics in the broad area of chemistry. These funds, used at the discretion of the department, supplement the yearly library support of the department by the University. Historically, these monies have been used to fulfill timely needs or the funds have been allowed to accumulate so that purchases have a major impact on holdings. Purchases are cataloged and housed in the library; however, materials can be permanently checked-out to the department.
KOLB LECTURE
The Doris & Kenneth Kolb Chemistry Lectureship
LAWRENCE LECTURE
The Lawrence Lectureship in honor of Major Robert Lawrence
MOUNTS LECTURE
The Timothy L. Mounts Lectureship
The Green Chemistry Commitment
In 2019, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry signed the Green Chemistry Commitment sponsored by Beyond Benign (beyondbenign.org). Green Chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce and/or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. By signing the Green Chemistry Commitment, the Department has pledged to implement the following green chemistry student learning objectives.
- Theory: Have a working knowledge of the Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry
- Toxicology: Have an understanding of the principles of toxicology, the molecular mechanisms of how chemicals affect human health and the environment, and the resources to identify and assess molecular hazards
- Laboratory Skills: Possess the ability to assess chemical products and processes and design greener alternatives when appropriate
- Application: Be prepared to serve society in their professional capacity as scientists and professionals through the articulation, evaluation and employment of methods and chemicals that are benign for human health and the environment
Our faculty are working to progressively implement these objectives into our curriculum so that our graduates possess skills are aligned with the needs of the planet and its inhabitants in the 21st century!
