Chemistry
BS, BS/MS

Transform the ordinary into the amazing. When you major in chemistry you study matter and its transformation.

Chemists conduct research and experiments to discover new concepts about the universe. They try to solve society's problems, whether by developing a cure for cancer, monitoring the earth's ozone layer, creating new materials to heat our homes, or pursuing countless other challenges.

The knowledge you'll gain through the study of chemistry at UMass Dartmouth will open the door to many different career opportunities within the five divisions of chemistry: analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, or physical. You'll be prepared for chemistry careers in education, forensics, government, law, industry, medicine, or research.

Also see the biochemistry concentration and minor.

The chemistry major prepares you for:

employment in many areas of the chemical industry
graduate study in most pure and applied chemistry areas, such as organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, polymer, forensic chemistry, pharmacy or the health professional programs

If you're interested in marine chemistry, geochemistry, toxicology, environmental monitoring and analysis, environmental law or other areas of environmental science, consider this interdisciplinary approach. You can customize your studies, choosing electives in departments such as biology, physics, environmental engineering, economics, and political science.

Expand your career and graduate school options by learning the fundamentals of chemistry. You can choose between minors in chemistry or biochemistry.

Enrollment in the 4+1 Teacher Preparation program allows undergraduate students to begin the education coursework towards a master’s degree in teaching (MAT) as early as the sophomore year. Half of the degree is completed as an undergraduate, reducing the time and costs of earning a graduate degree.

Student success

Linh Dan Nguyen '25: Solving HIV

"As an undergraduate, I feel very lucky to be as close as I am to the primary investigator on such an impactful project. I don't know that I would have had these opportunities at a larger university."

Graduate School Placements

Brown University
MIT
Texas A&M
University of Michigan
University of Rhode Island

Medical School Placements

Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Nova Southeastern School of Medicine
Tufts University School of Medicine
UMass Medical School

Career Placements

Bristol-Meyers Squibb
Department of Homeland Security
Drug Enforcement Agency
Fairhaven High School
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Massachusetts Crime Lab
New Bedford High School
Novartis
Pfizer
Siemens
Waters Corporation

Research

Jia Lab awarded two NIH R01 grants to study HIV-1 eradication

Undergraduate, master's, and PhD-level chemistry and bioengineering students team up in an attempt to solve and eradicate HIV-1.

UMassD advantages

American Chemical Society certification
Research-intensive semester: work with faculty on projects with opportunities to present on campus or at a professional conference
Technology: use state-of-the-art equipment including a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, x-ray diffractometer, voltametric analyzer, biosensors, mass spectrometers, electrophoresis systems, and DNA sequencer
Community: join organizations such as the Chemistry Club and the Pre-Health Society
Pre-med studies: Both our chemistry and biochemistry curricula also prepare you to continue your studies in medical school or other health professional programs
Cranberry Health Research Center: a collaboration among academia, medical institutions, and industry to provide scientific evidence for the cranberry's role in health and nutrition

Rankings

100% of chemistry majors are employed within six months of graduation - Class of 2023 NACE survey stat-300a Jul, 2024 Keywords: Alumni, CAS, Distinction, Factsheet, Graduate, Outcomes,

International (F-1) students who receive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees may be eligible to apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT). To learn about the eligibility criteria and detailed steps to apply, please review the International Student & Scholar Center (ISSC) OPT page and USCIS resources. F-1 students must consult with the ISSC to apply for STEM OPT.

Expand your opportunities

BS/MS Program: The UMassD BS/MS fast-track program enables qualified students to complete both the BS and the MS degrees in chemistry or biochemistry in 5 rather than 6 years.
MS in Chemistry: Expand your career options by pursuing a master's degree in Chemistry at UMassD.
PhD in Chemistry: Earn an advanced degree through the doctoral program offered by UMass Dartmouth.