Section Links

Chemistry major

As of fall 2025, this major will no longer be offered. A teach-out plan is in effect for students currently enrolled in the program.
Back
1 / 5
Forward

On the eastern coast of the island of Hawai’i sits the Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, where two students from ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø (EMU) spent part of their summer tracking insects that prey on papaya fields.

Learn More

Build a solid foundation at EMU in the major areas of chemistry: organic, inorganic, analytical, physical and biological chemistry.

Research with and be mentored by faculty who invest time in you, and compete for Kauffman-Miller Research Awards of up to for $2500 for summer research that is also supervised by EMU faculty.

Learn by doing as you expand your world with a broad chemical background suitable for entry into a wide variety options for careers – from industrial plastics chemist to pharmaceutical technician – and graduate level studies in chemistry, biochemistry or related areas.

See the curriculum below.

  • Distinctives
    • Collaborate with faculty on research focused on creation care and chemistry for the common good
    • Compete for financial backing of student-driven research projects from the Kauffman & Miller Research Awards
    • Challenge yourself in state-of-the-art facilities
    • Be mentored by faculty active in scholarly work and serious about teaching and learning
    • Live out your faith and values in your science
    • Expand your world and understanding throughintercultural study
  • Student experiences and research
    • Compete for Kauffman & Miller Research Awards, up to for $2500 for summer research supervised by EMU faculty
    • In addition to research at EMU, EMU students have participated in summer research programs at James Madison University, Penn State University, University of Minnesota, University of North Dakota, Budapest, North Carolinas Research Triangle Park, National Institutes of Health in Beltsville, Maryland, and in Ghana, Africa.
    • Present research at the annual STEM Student Research Symposium or the Academic & Creative Excellence Festival.
    • Undergraduate students have completed longer-term projects with published findings in scientific journals, something typically done during graduate studies.
    • Join your classmates in clubs such as Earthkeepers, Sustainable Food Initiative, Coalition for Climate Justice, Pre-Professional Health Sciences.
    • Serve other students and build your own skills and scientific understanding by working as peer tutors in the Academic Success Center.
  • Careers and outcomes

    EMU provides a broad background for the wide variety of career options open to the chemistry or biochemistry major and a solid preparation for study at the graduate level.

    EMU chemistry graduates are now involved in a variety of activities:

    • Neurochemistry research
    • Teaching college science
    • Opening a medical practice
    • Community Health worker in Central America
    • Pharmaceutical manufacturing
    • Environmental quality control
    • Malaria research in Tanzania
    • Biotechnology

    Graduate programs our students have attended:

    • Carnegie Mellon University
    • George Washington University
    • Ohio State University
    • Penn State University
    • University of Illinois in Chicago
    • University of Minnesota
    • University of Oregon
    • University of Virginia

    A major in chemistry can launch your career in many directions. While some of these career possibilities also require graduate study, many are immediately available after graduating from EMU.

    Students interested in chemistry and a career in healthcare can major in chemistry and enroll in the pre-professional health sciences program. Our pre-med students have been accepted at top-level medical schools.

  • Affordability
    • 99% of undergrads receive financial aid
    • The average assistance package is over $37,000
    • Over $21 million in aid is awarded each year

    Financial aid packages often include:

    Learn more by contacting  EMU's Financial Assistance Office or checking out our net price calculator.

Career Options

Additional careers in pre-professional health are also an option with this degree.

The above data was drawn from and is intended for informational purposes only.

More Majors Like This...  

Biochemistry
 Biochemistry
Biology Major
Biology
Environmental Science
Environmental Science
Pre-professional Health
Pre-professional Health Program
Medical Lab Sciences
Medical Lab Sciences

Curriculum

Chemistry courses (31 SH)

  • CHEM 223 General Chemistry I - 4 
  • CHEM 224 General Chemistry II - 4 
  • CHEM 315 Organic Chemistry I - 4 
  • CHEM 316 Organic Chemistry II - 4 
  • *CHEM 320 Analytical Chemistry I - 3  
  • *CHEM 340 Analytical Chemistry II - 3 
  • *CHEM 405 Thermodynamics - 3 
  • *CHEM 406 Quantum Mechanics - 3 
  • BIOCH 376 Foundational Biochemistry - 3 

Research course (2 SH)

Choose from this list:

  • BIOCH/CHEM 479 Biochemistry/Chemistry Research - 1-2  
  • BIOL 255 Biology Research Seminar - 1  
  • BIOL 479 Independent Biology Research - 1-2 
  • completing an NSF REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) or similar program (no credit hours received)
  • internship or practicum style experience

Biology, Mathematics and Physics courses (20 SH)

  • BIOL 485 Science and Ethics - 2  
  • MATH 185 Calculus I - 4 
  • MATH 195 Calculus II - 4 
  • STAT 220 Inferential Statistics - 2 
  • (PHYS 151 College Physics I OR PHYS 252 University Physics I) and PHYS 253 University Physics I laboratory - 4 
    (PHYS 162 College Physics II OR PHYS 262 University Physics II) and PHYS 263 University Physics II laboratory - 4

Additional mathematics courses recommended for students who intend to pursue graduate studies:

  • *MATH 284 Multivariate Calculus II - 2 
  • STAT 230 Regression and ANOVA - 2 

* indicates the course is offered in alternate years

Enrollment in upper-level biology, biochemistry, chemistry and environmental science courses (BIOL, BIOCH, CHEM, ENVS 300s and 400s) requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all science and math courses (BIOL, BIOCH, CHEM, ENVS, MATH, PHYS).