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Chemistry

Degree Type
  • Bachelor of Science
Location
  • Main Campus in Radford, VA
Format
  • In-Person

 

Overview

Chemistry majors have six different concentrations to choose from: biochemistry, advanced biochemistry, professional chemist, advanced professional chemist, forensics, and teacher licensure. Chemistry at Radford prioritizes a hands-on approach to teaching and research, providing valuable experiential learning opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge.

students in lab

Concentrations

Why Study Chemistry at Radford?

  • We are an American Chemical Society (ACS) accredited department, ensuring you’ll have the strong educational background needed to succeed as a scientific professional.
  • We offer many concentrations to fit your career choices, including ACS-certified degrees in chemistry and biochemistry, professional options for chemistry, biochemistry, and forensics, and a secondary teaching option.
  • We offer a pre-health concentration for students pursuing careers in pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, or other health-related fields.
  • You’ll have hands-on access to many state-of-the-art instruments including an MS/MS gas chromatograph, a Field Emission Scanning Electron microscope, and both infrared and Raman microscopes.
  • Much of the instrumentation we have is research or graduate-level equipment. The hands-on experience that Radford offers is rare in undergraduate programs.

Careers and Internships

A chemistry degree from Radford gives you access to high-paying professional jobs in healthcare, manufacturing, biotechnology, and education among other fields. We are proud to have so many alumni who are now doctors, dentists, pharmacists, professors, high school teachers, and leaders in important industries. 

Our chemistry majors frequently opt to pursue graduate studies before entering the job market—typically they are awarded a stipend that covers their tuition and living expenses.

Learn more about the career outlook for chemistry.

Research Opportunities

We make it easy for you to get involved in research as you work on your undergraduate degree. In fact, over 80% of our graduating seniors participate in undergraduate research.

  • 38%

    of our students are first-generation students

  • Over 80%

    our graduating seniors participate in undergraduate research

  • 56%

    of our graduates are accepted to graduate programs

Opportunities to Present Research

Elizabeth Lee and Kiersten Smith presented their research at the Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The research, done under the mentorship of Tim Fuhrer, Ph.D., focused on the computational chemical analysis of a new form of fullerene-related molecule. Their presentation was titled “Molecular Orbital Study of a New Class of Large Cage Fullertube.”

lab work

“I love my position and I would not be where I am without Radford’s Chemistry Department. Every single one of the professors put their heart and soul into student success.”

Lauren Purser '19Lab Manager for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

picture of student

Ready to study at Radford?

We want to get to know you better and we are excited that you are ready to take your next step and learn more about us. We are here to help you and look forward to working with you during your college search process.