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Chemistry

Chemistry student working in the lab.

Chemists play a central role in addressing many of our world’s most pressing challenges, and the career prospects for well-trained chemical professionals continue to be excellent. Positions in chemically and biochemically aligned industries rank among the most well-compensated for college graduates and these sectors are projected to grow in size and scope for the foreseeable future. Virtually everything we interact with in our day-to-day lives has been made, modified, characterized or studied using chemical reactions and tools. The ubiquity of the chemical sciences ensures that there will be exciting job opportunities for chemistry professionals in both traditional fields and emerging sectors such as nanotechnology, energy and environmental sustainability, high-performance materials, chemical computing, and advanced manufacturing techniques.

 

At its core, chemistry is the study of matter and its transformations - it is often referred to as the “central science” given its multidisciplinary nature. Our students work with enthusiastic faculty that are teaching and research leaders at the forefront of their fields and enjoy direct hands-on access to cutting-edge equipment and instrumentation, ensuring they are well-prepared to hit the ground running when they enter the work force. Our program’s curriculum, which is certified by the American Chemical Society, helps students gain a foundation in chemistry across all the traditional areas of our field. Coursework covers topics that span a continuum ranging from understanding the structure, properties and behavior of atoms, to molecules, materials, composites, and complex chemical and biological systems. In addition, our curriculum goes past conveying fundamental scientific knowledge by providing dedicated opportunities for students to engage in scientific inquiry while refining their critical thinking, analytical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. Through laboratory work and traditional classes our students also hone technical and professional skills needed to succeed after they graduate. Our prioritization of high-quality instruction and student development positions our students for gainful employment after graduation or to explore advanced degrees in STEM, medicine, law and other fields.

AREAS OF STUDY

  • Catalysis
  • Reaction Development
  • Reaction Optimization
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry & Life Science
  • Materials and Polymers
  • Chemistry at Surfaces & Interfaces
  • Thermodynamics & Kinetics
  • Forensics & Quantitative Analysis
  • Energy Conversion & Storage
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Spectroscopy and Physical Methods
  • Sustainability
  • Data Processing and Analysis
  • Chemical Computing

CAREER OPTIONS

  • Research Scientist
  • Drug Discovery
  • Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
  • Process Chemist
  • Medicine & Health Care
  • Public policy
  • Law and IP
  • Scientific Consultant or Analyst
  • Entrepreneur
  • Pharmacy
  • Forensic Analyst
  • Scientific Writer
  • Quality Control Specialist
  • Laboratory Specialist
  • K-12 Educator
  • Technical Support Engineer
  • Cosmetics Researcher

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

  • Chemistry 
  • Biochemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
  • Pharmacy School
  • Dental School
  • Medical School (MD or PA)
  • MBA
  • Law School (Patent Law)
  • Nutrition
  • Science Education
  • Environmental Science
  • Veterinary Science
  • Data Science

What’s special about this program?

 

Chemistry and Biochemistry majors at the University of Delaware benefit from all the resources of a leading graduate research program, combined with the department's strong commitment to undergraduate education. The diversity of course offerings presents students with various choices and degree options. Faculty members also reserve roles for undergraduate participation in their professional research. The department has also been very successful in maintaining a dynamic program that incorporates the latest discoveries and methods and is one of the few departments to offer an undergraduate degree in biochemistry, which is currently the fastest-growing aspect of the field.

Get Involved

American Chemical Society Student Affiliates

American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Sample curriculum

CHEM111

General Chemistry I

 

CHEM112

General Chemistry II

 

CHEM115

Intro to Chemical Sciences

 

CHEM120

Quantitative Chemistry

 

ENGL110

Seminar in Composition

 

MATH241

Anal. Geom. & Calculus A

 

MATH242

Anal. Geom. & Calculus B

 

   

Foreign Language Courses

 

  University Breadth Courses

CHEM331

 

Organic Chemistry I

CHEM332

 

Organic Chemistry II

CHEM333

 

Organic Chemistry Lab

CHEM334

 

Organic Chemistry Lab

CHEM357

 

Inorganic Chemistry I,

MATH243

 

Anal. Geom. & Calculus C

PHYS201

 

General Physics I

PHYS202

 

General Physics II
 

Elective Courses

 

  University Breadth Courses
CHEM437

Instrumental Methods

 

CHEM438

Instrumental Methods Lab

 

CHEM443

Physical Chemistry I

 

CHEM444

Physical Chemistry II

 

CHEM445

Physical Chemistry Lab I

 

CHEM446

Physical Chemistry Lab II

 

CHEM457

Inorganic Chemistry

 

CHEM458

Inorganic Chemistry Lab

 

CHEM527

Biochemistry

 

 

University Breadth Courses

 

  Elective Courses
   
   
CHEM465

Seminar

 

CHEM468

Undergraduate Research

 

 

University Breadth Courses

 

  Elective Courses

Go Global at UD

This major is eligible for the following programs:

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