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Chemical Science, BS

Leverage the adaptable Pre-Health option alongside the Chemical Science major to fulfill the diverse course requirements needed for admission to medical, pharmacy, and dental schools.

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About this Program

Combine Chemistry With Your Other Passions

Get a B.S. in Chemical Science and be prepared for a variety of scientific careers. Or use the flexibility of the Pre-Health option in combination with the Chemical Science major to take the variety of courses required for professional medical, pharmacy and dentistry schools.

Once you’ve finished your degree, you can follow in the steps of our graduates and work in forensic science, health care, clinical analysis, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental science, teaching, art restoration or materials. You could also work in research, sales, instrument repair, scientific publishing or science policy.

Unlike other science degrees, the flexibility of this degree allows you to double major or minor in many different fields, including business, mathematics, biology or physics. Later, that diverse course load can help you launch a career that encompasses these distinct fields.

Developing Students into Professionals

Professional formation is a guiding principle in the chemistry department. Take a third-year course that emphasizes the skills you will need in your career, with a largely self-paces, project-based class. This course is independent and allows you to learn hand-on laboratory skills as well as time-management skills that employers value.

Chemical Sciences at a Glance

Learn how this degree from the Department of Chemistry will contribute to your career goals. Then, explore course requirements and see how impactful a Seattle University degree can be.

Our Bachelor of Science in Chemical Sciences is specifically designed to provide flexibility to students. Students select this degree to enable significant activities such as study abroad or multiple majors/minors.

This is also an excellent degree for students intending to pursue professional school. If you want to attend medical school, dental school or pharmacy school, which have many additional requirements, this degree could work for you.

Learning Outcomes

SU’s Chemistry and Biochemistry Learning Outcomes are focused on your success. On successful completion of chemistry degree programs, you will be able to:

  • Chemistry fundamentals. Master fundamental knowledge and principles from general, organic, inorganic, analytical, physical, and biochemistry.
  • Experimentation. Plan, safely conduct, troubleshoot, and document lab experiments that answer chemical questions.
  • Problem solving. Devise and implement approaches that effectively address complex problems.
  • Critical thinking. Analyze data, results, theories, explanations, and hypotheses by applying chemical knowledge and intuition.
  • Communication. Communicate effectively and persuasively with technical audiences in written and oral forms; develop strategies to understand the technical communications of others.
  • Collaboration. Build on individual strengths to work collectively towards a goal; articulate ideas clearly; play various roles that help the group progress.
  • Professional behavior. Demonstrate timeliness, earnestness, honesty, self-awareness, self-regulation, and ethical responsibility in communications and collaborations.
  • Reflection. Develop the habit of reconsidering ideas or experiences to gain new insights, to discover deeper meaning, or to improve over time.

American Chemical Society Certified

The Chemistry Department offers American Chemical Society (ACS) certified degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry.

If you’re planning on attending law school in the future, consider our Bachelor/JD Accelerated 3+3 Program. This degree plan allows you to finish both a law degree and a bachelor’s degree in six years. For more information, visit the Bachelor/JD Accelerated 3+3 Program Admission page.

What You’ll Learn

Learn about the classes you’ll take as a student here.

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Top 25% in Science & Engineering

Seattle University ranks #40 in the nation —U.S. News & World Report, 2023

11:1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

Small classes led by talented faculty to foster active learning, an SU hallmark.

45%

Women

Our average of women STEM students nearly doubles the national average of only 23%.

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Get Involved in Research

Research is woven throughout our curriculum; our students have research opportunities every year during their academic careers. First year students are offered a research-focused version of General Chemistry III. As sophomores, students learn the fundamental research techniques of synthetic chemistry. Juniors and seniors work one-on-one with a faculty member on publication-quality research using sophisticated instruments – and some students even start as sophomores. We require research because this real-world experience prepares you for engaging careers as well as admission to graduate and professional programs at internationally renowned institutions.

Hear from Our Alumni

Kofi Asare-Konadu, ‘19

“My time at SU successfully prepared me to understand basic chemistry and biochemistry. Professors were experts at breaking down complex ideas into digestible content. Currently, I work as a research assistant at Oregon Health and Science University in an immunology lab, studying how the Card9/neutrophil signaling axis promotes spondyloarthritis.”

Featured Faculty

All Faculty & Staff

Discover More Programs to Explore

Program Directory

  • Biochemistry, BS

    Major

    As a biochemistry major, you’ll learn the scientific and professional skills for graduate or professional programs that lead to a range of meaningful careers—from medicine to environmental chemistry.

    • Bachelor of Science

  • Cell & Molecular Biology, BS

    Major

    With a major in cellular and molecular biology, you’ll explore recent scientific advances in fields that range from genetics to immunology. Develop the tools to succeed in rapidly growing fields.

    • Bachelor of Science

  • Chemistry, BS

    Major, Minor

    As a chemistry major, you’ll learn about the connections between molecular concepts and the complex systems found in nature.

    • Bachelor of Science

  • Data Science, MS

    Master's

    Our graduate degree in data science combines aspects of statistics and computer science with data analysis and modeling. You’ll gain the technical and analytical skills needed to advance your career.

    • Master of Science

  • Environmental Science, BS

    Major, Minor

    In the environmental science major, you’ll take a range of applied science courses that support environmental management careers for a more sustainable world.

    • Bachelor of Science

  • Environmental Studies, BA

    Major, Minor

    As an environmental studies major, you’ll learn data analysis tools, critical thinking and communication skills to move our communities toward a more sustainable future.

    • Bachelor of Arts

  • Mathematics, BA & BS

    Major, Minor

    As a math major, you’ll explore problem solving, conduct your own research and prepare for a career in education, engineering, medicine and more.

    • Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science

  • Physics, BA & BS

    Major, Minor

    As a physics major, you’ll work closely with faculty researchers in a range of challenging courses. Your degree can lead to diverse jobs in everything from engineering to physics to astronomy.

    • Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science

Get in Touch

We’re here to help. For information about chemistry degrees at Seattle University, contact: