Immerse yourself in one of the most beautiful campus towns and pursue OHIO’s history degrees at our residential campus in Athens — home to world-class faculty who are award-winning teachers and researchers at the top of their fields!
Chemistry Undergraduate Degrees
Study Chemistry for an Analytical, Forensic or Medical Career
Study chemistry and learn how chemists are building better batteries for electric vehicles, discovering new nanomaterials for the next-gen semiconductors, finding COVID’s Achille’s heel, and even racing the world’s first molecular nanocar.
We offer several different undergraduate majors, including an American Chemical Society-accredited chemistry major, pre-professional majors (pre-medicine, -pharmacy, -dentistry), and a FEPAC-accredited forensic chemistry major.
Opportunities for undergraduate research abound with our faculty.
Choose What You Want to Learn
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Chemistry Major B.A.The Bachelor of Arts in chemistry degree is best for those students who do not plan on pursuing a graduate degree in chemistry.
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Chemistry Major B.S.The B.S. degree in Chemistry is chosen by students planning to enter a graduate program in chemistry or work in the chemical industry.
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Chemistry—Biochemistry Major B.S.The B.S. in biochemistry major serves students who have an interest in biological applications of chemistry as a biochemist or health scientist who are interested in careers in medicine, industry, or research.
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Chemistry—Environmental Major B.S.The B.S. degree in Environmental Chemistry is chosen by students planning to enter a graduate program in chemistry with an emphasis in the environment or to work in a chemistry-related field.
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Forensic Chemistry Major B.S.The B.S. in Forensic Chemistry degree prepares students to work in crime laboratories or other law enforcement agencies, such as FDA, OSHA, and EPA, or for graduate work in forensic chemistry, forensic science or analytical chemistry.
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Chemistry—Pre-Dentistry Major B.S.The Chemistry—Pre-Dentistry B.S. degree provides a sound background in the chemistry, biochemistry, biological sciences, mathematics and physics courses that are required for dental school.
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Chemistry—Pre-Medicine Major B.S.The Chemistry-Pre-Medicine B.S. degree provides a solid background in the chemistry, biochemistry, biological sciences, mathematics and physics courses that are required for medical school.
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Chemistry—Pre-Pharmacy Major B.S.The Chemistry—Pre-Pharmacy B.S. degree program is specifically designed to prepare the student for admission into a Doctor of Pharmacy program at an accredited pharmacy school.
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Honors Tutorial College Chemistry MajorThe Honors Tutorial College offers a B.S. in Chemistry that provides unique opportunities for exceptional students. At the heart of the program is the tutorial, in which the student studies selected material under the guidance of a faculty member acting as tutor.
Choose Where You Want to Learn
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Athens, OH, Residential Campus
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Regional Campuses
Take classes near where you work and live in a hybrid format that fits your schedule as you pursue an Associate in Science degree. Common courses can be used to fulfill BRICKS requirements and may also be fulfill major requirements.
Add a Certificate or Minor
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Craft Brewing CertificateThis certificate provides students with fundamental concepts of biochemistry, microbiology and engineering, as well as entrepreneurial aspects and small business ownership, all through the lens of craft brewing.
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Technology and Society CertificateThe certificate provides a framework for studies that integrate a broad knowledge of technological developments with an understanding of their impacts on society.
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Medical and Health Humanities CertificateThe Medical and Health Humanities certificate provides students with the opportunity to explore the human condition in relation to health, illness, and healing through the lens of the humanities.
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Semiconductor Technology CertificateThe Semiconductor Technology Certificate introduces students to the basic science and engineering principles you'll need to understand advanced manufacturing and the fabrication of semiconductor chips.
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Food and Society CertificateThe Food and Society Certificate probes the cultural significance of food; how food is grown, treated, harvested, sold, purchased, consumed, shared, and disposed of; and the impact these practices have the environment.
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Chemistry MinorA chemistry minor prepares students with an understanding of the fundamentals of chemistry as well as giving them experience with organic, inorganic, physical, and biochemistry. A minor could help prepare studies for graduate school in the natural sciences or medicine.
What Can You Do with a Chemistry Degree?
A large number of our graduates go on to take advanced degrees in all areas of chemistry and biochemistry. Graduates of our program are employed in environmental, pharmaceutical and other chemical companies throughout the country.
Jobs held by recent graduates include applications lab technician, attorney, associate chemist, auditor, chemist, research and discovery chemist, chemistry and physics teacher, criminalist, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, drug analyst, environmental engineer, pharmacist, physician, quality assurance process chemist, and technology transfer manager.
Chemistry Careers & Internships
Post-Grad Opportunities for Chemistry Majors
After earning their degrees in chemistry, many of our students proceed to graduate school in chemistry or biochemistry at 51 or elsewhere. Students also prepare for medical school, dental school, or a pharmacy graduate program with a chemistry degree.
In OHIO's Ph.D. in Chemistry and Ph.D in Chemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology, our students conduct research with award-winning, patent-holding faculty.
At OHIO, we offer an in-person M.S. in Chemistry with a thesis track and a non-thesis track, plus an Online M.S. in Chemistry.
Research: Students Co-author COVID-19 Modeling Paper in Journal
The student research team introduced a new model, adding a “Breakthrough” category to account for vaccinated or previously infected individuals still contracting the virus.
Get Hands-On Experience with Your Chemistry Degree
Our chemistry program provides important experiential learning opportunities. What you learn in the class is applicable in the the lab and in field, so you’ll get the chance to participate in research projects, internships, and more.
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Conduct Research in Chemistry
Laboratory research with our faculty is a valuable experience for all undergraduates, helping you to make informed choices about your future career.
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Present at the Expo
Students can choose to present their research each spring at the at 51's Student Expo.
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Earn Departmental Honors
Conduct research for at least two semesters and write a thesis with your primary advisor to earn departmental honors on your diploma.
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Join Alpha Chi Sigma
Alpha Chi Sigma (AXΣ) is a national fraternity for chemistry students, and our chapter is very active, from Family Science Saturday, to Haunted Halloween, to helping with the Ohio Chemistry Contest.
Chemistry Courses & Resources
Mentoring and Advising for Chemistry Students
Academic advisors are best able to help you in planning your course of study if you contact them early and consult with them regularly. Notification of your advisor is indicated on your degree audit report (DARS) and class schedule.
Advisee Expectations
As a student at 51, you have a right to the best possible advising and counseling. The University has an obligation to provide an advisor who will be interested in your welfare throughout your academic career at the university. You should be assigned an advisor when you begin your studies at the university. That assignment may be changed if it is not serving your needs. Specifically, this means that your advisor should:
- Establish and adhere to reasonable office hours.
- Be knowledgeable about the different interests of traditional and non-traditional students and adapt the advising accordingly; students and adapt the advising accordingly.
- Understand the mechanics of enrolling you for a semester, such as scheduling, telephone registration, and closed-class situations.
- Understand all aspects of the University grading policy.
- Be familiar with the variety of University degree offerings, to assist you in making choices.
- Know where to refer you in cases of special need (e.g., Academic Advancement Center, the Student Success Team, International Student and Scholar Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, etc.).
- Be aware of departmental major requirements as well as the University General Education requirements.
- Help you plan a complete course of study, designed through personal interaction between you and the advisor, utilizing career interests and academic records, as well as available information on the frequency of course offerings and possible scheduling conflicts.
- Help you rethink the course of study in the event that your interests change.
- Refer you to an appropriate place for improvement of study and other skills when necessary.
- Relay information about available activities that may enhance your learning experiences.
Advisor Expectations
Members of the 51 faculty accept the responsibility to be informed and concerned advisors to students assigned to them as advisees. Advising involves helping students move through a sequential decision-making process toward realistic, flexible academic and professional goals. In order for faculty advisors to provide this involved service, it is expected that you will:
- Consult with the advisor on at least a semester basis.
- Make appointments for such counseling during posted office hours.
- Keep appointments promptly. If you find that it is impossible to keep the appointment, you should notify your advisor before the appointed time.
- Discuss academic and career-related needs as they develop.
- Be prepared for the appointment and bring appropriate materials.
- Seek assistance with the decisions to be made rather than expect the advisor to make them.
- Follow through with appropriate action after the advising session, or consult with the advisor if critical decisions cannot be accomplished.
- Seek additional counsel from appropriate other sources.
- Evaluate advising sessions and give feedback to the advisor in order to strengthen the advising process.
- Seek reassignment to another advisor when appropriate.
Undergraduate Advising and Student Affairs
51 gives you tools to ensure you succeed, ranging from success advisors and department mentors who help you graduate on time to undergraduate-specific scholarships and financial aid opportunities.
Undergraduate students should contact Undergraduate Advising and Student Affairs for advising support, such as: class registration, adding and dropping classes, changing majors, adding minors and certificates, Guarantee+, and graduation checks.