Chemistry

Overview

The department of chemistry's faculty at Saint Joseph's University is diverse in their interests, leading to courses in both the traditional and interdisciplinary areas of chemistry. Throughout your education, chemistry will be emphasized as a laboratory science and, as a major, you will learn basic chemical theories as well as current experimental techniques, using modern instrumentation and computational methods to solve chemical problems.

Chemistry students at Saint Joseph's University have many opportunities to become involved in faculty-directed independent research that investigates problems of current interest. These experiences help you develop a chemist’s analytical skills, critical thinking, creativity and the ability to work as a team. Chemistry majors at Saint Joseph’s University regularly publish their findings in scientific journals and make presentations at regional and national meetings, where many have received recognition and won awards.

The American Chemical Society certifies the bachelor of science degree program in chemistry, and special advisory options are offered for majors interested in the premedical, pre-dental and chemistry and business curriculums.

The five-year B.S./M.S. chemistry-education program is designed for students who wish to become certified secondary school (grades 7-12) science teachers. The program incorporates the four-year B.S. degree in chemistry with additional work during the summer and a fifth year to complete the M.S. in secondary education and become certified. You also have the option to double major in chemistry and education. With careful planning, this double major can be completed in the four undergraduate years. Given the numerous course requirements for the dual degrees and certification, it is important to speak with your chemistry education advisor about this program early on to ensure you are taking appropriate courses.

The chemistry program will prepare you to choose from a wide range of career paths. Our majors pursue graduate study in chemistry or biochemistry, professional degrees in medicine, the health sciences and pharmacology, graduate studies in other fields, including business, government and law and direct employment after graduation.