Chemistry Major

Engage in meaningful research in a collaborative community of Christian scientists.

As a Chemistry major at Houghton, you'll build your professional skills and knowledge through a variety of hands-on opportunities. This includes conducting, publishing, and presenting research with one or more faculty members. You will also receive specialized instruction focused on your interests. Explore biochemistry, molecular biology, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, or analytical chemistry.

Degree Snapshot

Undergraduate - Bachelor's

Degree Types: BA, BS

Program Credits: 124

Explore Courses & Degree Requirements Careers Meet the Faculty

What will I learn?

Two Houghton science majors working in lab at the Shannon Summer Research Institute.

Through Houghton’s degree in Chemistry you will:

Receive hands-on training and access to professional equipment and instruments that allow for a wide range of experiments, preparing you for a career as a scientist, technician, chemical engineer and more.
Learn to think critically and apply that knowledge to real-world problems.
Grow in a personal, friendly, and collaborative environment. Professors know you by name and they know the best way to push you further in your studies and passions.

Why study Chemistry at Houghton?

Learning that Prepares

Hands-on training allows you to have a competitive advantage. You'll have constant access to chemical instrumentation for labs and research allowing you to observe, monitor, or control chemical processes. You'll become fluent in these instruments equipping you for graduate school.

100% of majors applying to medical or health programs have been accepted into a program in the first application round

Research Experience

Pursue your interests through independent study or collaborative research with faculty members. This includes Houghton's Shannon Summer Research Institute and or Science Honors. Publish your findings in peer-reviewed journals or present at regional and national conferences. Previous research topics have included, development of Green Oxidation Catalysts and unraveling early events in Alzheimer’s Disease.

Invested Faculty

Houghton's small class sizes allow for individualized instruction and direct mentorship from faculty. You'll develop close relationships with your peers and faculty in a collaborative Christ-center environment. Deepen your faith as you increase your knowledge alongside faculty who care for your emotional, spiritual and academic growth.

Courses & Degree Requirements

Popular Courses

CHEM 241 Organic Chemistry I

This course covers modern organic chemistry. You’ll explore the relationships between organic molecular structure and chemical reactivity, mechanisms of molecular transformations, and synthesis and spectroscopy.

CHEM 278 Chemical Instrumentation in Research

Use various instruments to analyze research. Principles and application of various types of spectroscopy (including UV-VIS, IR, and NMR), atomic absorption and emission, mass spectrometry, thermal and electrochemical methods of analysis, etc.

CHEM 361 Physical Chemistry I

Explore the theory behind the principles of chemistry. This includes derivation and application with emphasis on thermodynamics, kinetics, and molecular structure. You'll gain practical experience with these processes in the lab.

Degree Options

BS - 124 credits

The Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry is designed for students planning to pursue graduate study and professional research in chemistry or one of its subfields, such as biomedical science, forensics, environmental science, pharmacology or materials science.

64-68 credits
Required Courses

56-60 credits
Elective courses + general education

BS Degree Requirements

BA - 124 credits

The Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry is designed for students preparing for medical school as well as for those seeking to teach chemistry at the secondary level or those choosing chemistry as a second major.

56-60 credits
Required Courses

64-68 credits
Elective courses + general education

BA Degree Requirements