Major
The Department of Chemistry offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry that allows students to pursue one of the following options as part of their Chemistry major:
- General
- Biochemistry
- Forensic Science
- STEM Teaching
- Sustainability
The Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry is both a professional and a pre-graduate school degree. Completion of the chemistry curriculum provides preparation for all areas of the chemical profession, as well as for graduate study in chemistry, dentistry, medicine, patent law, and teaching. The UMass Lowell Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry is approved by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society (ACS).
The major typically includes 59-60 credits in chemistry courses, and 26-30 credits in supporting science and mathematics courses. In addition, university and college guidelines for core curriculum requirements must be fulfilled for a total of 120 credits.
The General option prepares students for a job in industry or graduate school, and offers the opportunity to perform senior thesis research with a chemistry faculty member. Graduates of this program have gone on to pursue successful careers at a variety of local and national companies, or to receive M.S. or Ph.D. degrees from prestigious graduate schools.
The Biochemistry option prepares students for careers in biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences and other fields that apply principles of chemistry to biological systems.
The Forensic Science option prepares students for a career in a crime lab or in other fields that require analytical chemistry techniques combined with knowledge of the criminal justice system.
The Sustainability option prepares students for a career in green chemistry, sustainability, and energy with multidisciplinary coursework. This pathway complements the core chemistry degree with interdisciplinary coursework in sustainability. Students will be prepared to impact challenges in energy, climate and the environment while gaining the critical chemical skills to solve global problems.
The STEM Teaching option prepares students for a career in high school chemistry education. Students will learn to convey chemistry topics with in-depth understanding and real-world examples. This pathway is designed to coordinate with the UTEACH program and practicum experience leading to an initial teaching license. The STEM Teaching option is not certified by American Chemical Society.
View the complete Degree Pathways.
For more information, contact the Department of Chemistry.