Purposes

• To equip students with the foundational knowledge and skills needed for graduate studies in fields related to Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Health Professions (Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, etc.);
• To prepare students for immediate entry into careers in industry, including biotech, pharma, and other sectors;
• To prepare students to pursue a career in secondary education, teaching chemistry or physical science;
• To offer students the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on nationally recognized research projects;
• To provide students with a broad understanding of chemistry and its relevance to society.

Tradition of Excellence

The Department of Chemistry is dedicated to fostering an environment that supports students' academic and professional growth. By combining high-quality classroom instruction with a laboratory-rich curriculum, we ensure that students acquire the essential knowledge and hands-on experience needed to excel in a variety of science-related fields. Through deliberate mentoring from our expert faculty,  students acquire the expertise and confidence to pursue their goals. Additionally, our Chemistry Undergraduate Research Program provides students with the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on original research projects in a variety of fields within chemistry and biochemistry. Participants gain approximately 400 hours of hands-on lab experience in a single summer, working in our state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, studying subjects ranging from organic and inorganic synthesis to drug discovery, natural products chemistry, and structural biology. Many of our students' findings are published in peer-reviewed journals and/or presented at scientific conferences with students listed as co-authors. Additionally, our alumni show remarkable support, contributing nearly $70,000 annually to partially fund the research program that once benefited them. This ongoing connection between students, faculty, and alumni makes the chemistry education at PLNU a respected and vibrant experience.

Career Opportunities

PLNU chemistry graduates are well-equipped for success in graduate school, industry, or teaching careers. Since 2004, more than 90% of students applying to medical, dental, optometry, pharmacy, and veterinary schools have been accepted. Acceptance rates for Biology and Chemistry students applying to graduate (M.A., M.S., and Ph.D.) programs are similarly high. Our alumni can be found on the faculty of prestigious medical schools and universities, and are making important contributions in medicine, education, and industry. The same high-quality undergraduate education is available to every student in our program, and we take pride in the achievements of each of our graduates.

Faculty

Laurance Beauvais, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley

Edmund Cheng, Ph.D.
Northwestern University

Ariane Jansma, Ph.D.
University of California, San Diego

Katherine Maloney, Ph.D.
Cornell University

Marc Perry, Ph.D.
New Mexico State University

Matthieu Rouffet, Ph.D.
School of Pharmacy, Reims, France

Sam Stoneburner, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

To view requirements for majors, minors, and certificates, see the Degree Program Information page.