Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry

Chemistry involves the study of solids, liquids, and gases, and the transformations they undergo in combination with each other. Chemists engage in observation, analysis, synthesis and experimentation, breaking natural substances down into their component parts, replicating in the laboratory chemical processes that occur in the physical world, and creating new substances to fulfill specific needs. Chemical discoveries have played an important role in helping us understand the world around us. Biochemistry, the study of chemical compounds and processes that occur in living organisms, has emerged as a field with a growing impact on our ability to diagnose and treat diseases in animals, plants, and humans. 

The courses offered in the department tend to emphasize the practical application of the principles of chemistry. Students learn more than theory and facts; they are also encouraged to consider how this knowledge can be put to use for the benefit of humankind and society. Computers are widely used throughout the department for data collection and analysis, simulations, and computer-assisted teaching.