Chemistry

Dr. Yin Hong working with students in a chemistry lab on campus

A chemistry degree can lead to a wide range of career opportunities, including health-related sciences, industry, and teaching. Students majoring in chemistry at Concord University complete foundational coursework introducing each of the five major branches of chemistry: Analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physical chemistry, and inorganic chemistry. Selection of flexible advanced coursework in chemistry or other sciences allows our graduates to become multi-disciplinary specialists by completing one or more elective concentrations:

  • Biochemistry (pre-Medicine), a block of electives integrating biology and chemistry designed for pre-Medical studies or a double major with biology;
  • Geochemistry, a block of electives integrating geology and chemistry for environmental careers or a double major with environmental geosciences;
  • Professional Chemistry, a block of courses in chemistry and physics for professional careers in chemistry, research, and graduate school admissions;
  • 3+1 Health Sciences (pre-Pharmacy and pre-Clinical Lab Science), a program integrating a senior-year, off-campus residency at a School of Pharmacy or School of Medical Technology.

  • The future of science is interdisciplinary. Employers will continue to diversity their needs in directions that are hard to predict today. If you think about it, you will be working for nearly a half century after receiving your degree. What skills will you need in 20-30 years? It is impossible to tell, but we do know one thing: Mastering problem solving, quantitative skills, communication, and exhibiting responsible ethics and professionalism in the workplace will continue to be critical.
  • Get a double major. Gaining the ability to think broadly in an interdisciplinary context is important. We have made the chemistry degree flexible so that you can realistically complete double majors with biology or environmental geosciences, or complete a minor in physics.
  • Diverse careers. Our alumni are medical doctors (M.D. or D.O.), physician assistants, pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists, and Ph.D. research scientists. Others work in pharmaceutical sales, or as laboratory technicians or teachers.
  • Modern lab equipment. Students in Concord’s chemistry program get hands-on experience with modern research instruments much earlier and more often than students at larger universities.
  • Small class sizes. Students to get to know faculty closely.
  • Undergraduate research. Work with Concord faculty in chemistry, physics, and environmental geosciences to discover the unknown.

Course Rotations are subject to change depending on enrollment trends. The chemistry program intends to offer the following course sequences:

CHEM 101/111 General Chemistry I (every fall and spring)
CHEM 102/112 General Chemistry II (every fall and spring)
CHEM 210 Chemical Lab Safety (every fall)
CHEM 219 Lab Research Methods (every fall)
CHEM 331 Organic Chemistry I (every fall)
CHEM 332 Organic Chemistry II (every spring)
CHEM 351/357 Analytical Chemistry and Lab (every fall)
CHEM 352/358 Instrumental Analysis and Lab (spring even years)
CHEM 401/407 Physical Chemistry – Thermodynamics with Lab (fall odd years)
CHEM 402 Physical Chemistry – Quantum Mechanics (spring odd years)
CHEM 413/417 Inorganic Chemistry with Lab (fall even years)
CHEM 415 Electron Imaging and X-ray Microanalysis (irregular)

Note: CHEM 335 is offered irregularly and can be substituted with 3-4 hours from CHEM 352/358, or 401/407, or 402, or 413/417.