Major in Chemistry
About a third of Cal Lutheran's chemistry graduates advance into medical or graduate school; a third become high school teachers; and the rest begin their careers with jobs in such fields as environmental controls management, geochemistry, consumer products research, drug discovery, toxicology, and forensic chemistry. CLU's Chemistry program has a 100% placement record into graduate schools.
Chemistry. It's the core science-the study of the properties, composition, and changes that occur in matter. When you study chemistry, you analyze issues that influence every aspect of life on Earth.
Whether you choose the Bachelor of Science degree (for those targeting careers in industry or planning to pursue a graduate degree) or the Bachelor of Arts degree (appropriate for those seeking work in medicine, dentistry or secondary school teaching) Cal Lutheran's chemistry curriculum provides the required knowledge base required of the discipline.
Because of the program's strong emphasis on laboratory experience, our advanced chemistry students are taught how to design and carry out their own experiments and encouraged to work on independent research projects. They also have the opportunity to do supported research with faculty members during the summer. Many students have been accepted to summer research programs at Ph.D.-granting institutions.
The department possesses modern instruments which students use regularly in their classes and in research projects. These include Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers, gas chromatographs with several types of detectors (mass spectrometer, electron capture, flame ionization), and a rapid-scan UV- vis spectrometer.
CLU Chemistry students are encouraged to pursue internships and REU programs during the course of their studies. Recent CLU students have interned at Ventura County Crime Lab, Amgen, Rockwell Science Center and attended REU programs at Colorado State and the University of Nevada at Reno.
These undergraduate research opportunities translate into success for Cal Lutheran's chemistry graduates, who have been accepted into many of the nation's most respected medical, dental, and graduate programs including the Universities of California at Davis, Irvine, and Santa Barbara, Indiana University, the University of Ohio and the University of Nebraska.
Transfer Students
It is highly recommended that students transferring into CLU from another college or university complete General Chemistry or General Biology prior to enrolling at CLU in the Chemistry Major.
Program Requirements
View the program requirements and course descriptions »
Faculty
Kristine D. Butcher, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry and Departmental Chair
Grady Hanrahan, Ph.D.
John Stauffer Endowed Professor of Analytical Chemistry and Associate Provost for Experiential Learning, Research and Faculty Development
Michael Quinlan, Ph.D.
Lecturer
Dennis Revie, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
John Tannaci, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Michael D. Wiley, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Chemistry
Contact the Department
Chemistry
California Lutheran University
60 W. Olsen Rd. #3700
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Department Chair:
Kristine D. Butcher
