Purposes

• To prepare students for entrance into graduate school and eventually for professional work in chemistry or related fields;
• To prepare students, who don’t wish to attend graduate school, to enter the field of industrial chemistry immediately after graduation;
• To prepare students to teach chemistry or physical science at the secondary education level;
• To provide students with the opportunity to participate as partners with their professors in nationally reported research projects;
• To provide students with a general knowledge of chemistry and its relation to society.

Tradition of Excellence

The strength and reputation of the Chemistry program has been well established over the past 40 years. Quality classroom instruction coupled with personal contact with caring faculty lays the foundation for our students’ success. Small classes and deliberate faculty mentoring provides students the knowledge and confidence to pursue their career goals. At PLNU we understand that chemistry is a laboratory science. Almost all courses in the major have a significant laboratory component. Students become very familiar with the instrumental tools of modern chemical investigation.

Undergraduate research has, and continues to be, the hallmark of the Chemistry Department. Over 200 students have had the opportunity to work side by side with University faculty in our summer research programs. Results of these studies are published in peer-reviewed professional journals with students included as co-authors. Over 75 such articles have been published since 1965 as part of the Chemistry Department undergraduate research program. Most importantly students learn to think like scientists as they tackle their own research project. Undergraduate research requires funding and the Chemistry faculty has been very successful in competing for public and private grants (the total exceeds $2 million). As remarkable evidence of loyalty and support, Department alumni also contribute nearly $30,000 annually to partially fund the kind of research from which they themselves benefited. Students, faculty and alumni connect in significant ways to make the chemistry education at PLNU a respected and vital experience.

Career Opportunities

The professional success of our graduates attests to the quality of the Chemistry program. More than 80 percent of students who apply to medical schools are accepted (almost twice the national average). Higher percentages are accepted into Ph.D. programs in Chemistry and related fields. PLNU alumni can be found on the faculty of numerous medical schools and universities. They are also making important contributions in school classrooms and industrial labs. The same quality undergraduate education is offered to all our students, and the Department is proud of each achievement.

Majors

Courses

Faculty