Chemistry

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science

Chemistry is 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.

The Curriculum
Which degree is right for you?

We offer two degrees, each backed by a strong curriculum that will give you the knowledge base you need to successfully pursue the discipline.

  • Bachelor of Science – If you are targeting a career in industry or planning to attend a graduate program.
  • Bachelor of Arts – If you are seeking work in medicine, dentistry, or secondary school teaching.
Extensive laboratory work

Throughout your courses, you will regularly work with the modern instruments in our campus laboratories. This equipment includes infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and atomic absorption spectrophotometers. Separations equipment includes capillary electrophoresis, gas chromatography, high pressure liquid chromatography, and fast protein liquid chromatography equipment. Detectors range from mass spectrometers, electron capture, and flame ionization to rapid-scan UV-Vis spectrometers. You will also learn skills in computation and presentation of data.

Experiential learning and discovery

While the theoretical training you’ll receive in lectures is important, you will also be encouraged to explore, discover, and ask questions in your laboratory training. Through integrated research questions and hands-on exploration in courses, you will be involved in discovering and contributing new knowledge to the scientific community.

Become a scientific researcher

Independent studies or full-time summer research is excellent preparation for real-world scientific or health-related work post-graduation. Explore the frontiers of chemistry with one of our research active faculty, stretch yourself with an internship in the Ventura County Crime Lab, Amgen, or a research experience off-campus.

You will gain exceptional experience, explore the thrill of discovery, and engage with the larger community of scientists at research conferences and our Festival of Scholars each spring.

Our research labs are entirely staffed with student researchers to generate data that is published in international journals and presented at national conferences. Talk to us about whether there is an open project in our labs!



Programs

Offered as a major (BA or BS) and a minor.


Recommended Minors

Want to add even more value to your degree? Consider one of these minors to gain a unique combination of skills and perspectives.


The Experience

With inspiration and support from Katherine M. Hoffman, PhD, Sloan Sanders ‘22 applies her chemistry major and art history minor to her research of analyzing pigment on artifact figures from Papua New Guinea. In a lab within Swenson Science Center, Sanders previews for us the equipment she uses to analyze the artifacts.

McNair Scholars Summer Research (Sloan Sanders)

Chemistry major Jazmine Tranin ’ explores her research through first-hand experience with Dr. Grady Hanrahan in the brand new Swenson Science Center. While preparing for their next experiment, they give a preview into the lab and the equipment used for Tranin’s research project.

Jazmine Tranin '22
Chemistry Major

Your Future

Our chemistry program has a 100% placement record into graduate schools, many of them among the most respected in the nation.

Students not going on to graduate programs in chemistry often opt for health-related programs such as medical or pharmacy school, or physician’s assistant programs, while others seek out teaching credentials. Chemistry majors who enter the workplace after graduation begin their careers in fields such as environmental controls management, consumer product research, drug discovery, toxicology, and forensic chemistry.


Our alumni study at:
  • Emory University
  • Boston University
  • Cornell University
  • UCLA
  • University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
  • University of Maryland
  • University of Notre Dame
  • University of Oregon
  • University of Rochester
Our alumni work for:
  • Baxter International Inc.
  • BioSource International
  • Cosmetic Technologies
  • Fruit Growers Laboratory
  • Gilead Sciences
  • Los Angeles County Crime Lab
  • NuSil Technology
  • Unity Lab Services

 

Career paths:
  • AP Chemistry Teacher
  • Chemical Technician
  • Chemist
  • Criminalist
  • Production Associate
  • Quality Control Chemist
  • Supervisor, Veterinary Clinic

 

of Cal Lutheran graduates find a job or enroll in graduate school within nine months

More Career Outcomes



I was able to explore many subfields in the biological sciences — from ecology to molecular biology to infectious disease — and discover my love for microbiology and host-pathogen interactions.

Emily Armbruster '19
Chemistry Major
Graduate Student, PhD in Biological Sciences Student, UC San Diego

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