Chemistry

Home / Academics / Programs / Major / Chemistry

Chemistry is at the heart of scientific discovery, shaping advancements in medicine, technology, and the environment. As a chemistry major, you’ll build a strong foundation in analytical, organic, inorganic, physical, and biochemistry while developing hands-on laboratory skills that prepare you for a wide range of careers.

With American Chemical Society (ACS) certification, our program meets rigorous industry and academic standards, ensuring you’re ready for graduate studies or careers in pharmaceuticals, environmental science, forensics, materials science, and more. Through faculty-mentored research, internships, and interdisciplinary concentrations, you’ll gain the experience and expertise to solve real-world challenges with chemistry.

Experiential Learning

Strong Foundation – Develop expertise in analytical, organic, inorganic, physical, and biochemistry.
Early Research Opportunities – Engage in faculty-mentored projects starting your first year.
Year-Round Experience – Participate in research through labs, independent studies, and summer grants.
Real-World Impact – Contribute to advancements in agriculture, medicine, and environmental science.

Program Details

Course Requirements

Degree Concentrations & Options

Personalize your education with our degree concentrations, or further your education with our streamlined B.S./M.S. program.

Chemical Engineering

For students wanting to build a thorough understanding of the theories and applications of chemistry while providing the necessary engineering principles to pursue an advanced degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Biochemistry.

Chemistry-Chemical Engineering graduates can also seek immediate employment in practically any chemical industry, including, but not limited to, pharmaceutical, agricultural, petrochemical, food, cosmetics, medical, and environmental.

See full course requirements and concentration details

Business

Prepares students for a career in business and industry by blending a chemistry foundation with courses from the Foster College of Business. Chemistry-business majors often pursue law school or an MBA or start careers in chemical procurement, production, processing or research and development.

Premedical

Gives students a firm grasp of the physical and biological principles needed to succeed in medical, dental, optometry or veterinary school. Prepares graduates for professional school entrance exams such as the MCAT and DAT.

See full course requirements and concentration details

Pre-Pharmacy

Build the skills needed to enter a professional pharmacy degree program through courses that show how drug compounds work in the body.

See full course requirements and concentration details

High School Education

This concentration prepares students for the State of Illinois Professional Educator’s License in Secondary Education. Beginning with classroom field experiences in the first year, students continue hands-on training through their sophomore and junior years, culminating in a senior-year student teaching experience.

This program is accredited by the American Chemical Society, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. It is also a member of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and is nationally recognized by multiple subject-specific teaching organizations.

See full course requirements and concentration details

Environmental Science (Interdisciplinary Program)

Want to focus your learning on how chemicals interact in natural systems and how humans can influence those interactions? As an environmental science major, you gain a foundation in plant and animal life, environmental issues and chemistry.

Study these interactions in both natural and human-based systems while building critical thinking, research and applied skills. Graduates will create a research portfolio valuable to continued education and future employers.

See full course requirements and concentration details

Combined B.S./M.S.

Enhance your career opportunities and understanding of the chemistry field. This combined BS/MS program allows you to begin taking graduate level courses during your senior year so you can complete both degrees in less time than it would take to complete them separately.

It also pairs you with a faculty mentor for research during the final three years of study. You’ll complete the degree with a comprehensive oral exam, thesis project, defense and public seminar.

See full course requirements and program details

Career Opportunities

A degree in ACS-certified chemistry prepares you for diverse careers in industry, government, and academia.

Graduates have found professional paths with U.S. Department of Agriculture, St. Louis Metropolitan Crime Laboratory, Emerald Performance Materials, and Exelon Energy in roles such as quality control, research and development, manufacturing, sales, and marketing

Minor

Chemistry

The chemistry minor, which is open to all students, gives you a foundation in chemical processes and practical applications of that knowledge.

See full course requirements and minor details