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Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

A chemistry degree grounded in a liberal arts education gives you a perspective that many other institutions just can’t provide. Our department is approved by the American Chemical Society, a recognition that is given to programs that offer a broad-based and rigorous chemistry education, giving students intellectual, experimental, and communication skills to become effective scientific professionals.

View photos from the 2024 Awards Luncheon here 

Spotlight on Dr. Waner

Hear about why Dr. Waner loves teaching and advising new students at John Carroll.

Programs of Study

All chemistry majors earn a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, and may add a concentration in biochemistry or chemical physics. Depending upon the classes taken, a variety of career paths are available, including employment in a (bio)chemically related industry or research career, graduate studies, or health professions. Students may also combine the B.S. degree with a minor or second major in business, entrepreneurship, education, information science, pre-law, or sociology/criminology.

Undergraduate

Major
Minor
Concentration/Option

Chemistry Highlights

42

Percentage of Majors Involved in Undergraduate Research On and Off Campus

Why Chemistry?

Chemistry connects many of the other fields of science. For this reason, a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from John Carroll University will prepare you for a career in a variety of fields. We can tailor the biochemistry concentration to prepare you for a bio-medical research position or fulfill the medical, dental, pharmacy, or other health professional school requirements you will need. If you are interested in employment in a chemically-related field, graduate school, or a research career, you will find that the B.S. in Chemistry and chemical physics concentration prepares you to be a highly competitive candidate. Perhaps you want to combine chemistry with another field like law, business, or sociology (forensics). The B.S. degree coursework can be combined with a second major or minor in another field. So whatever your career goals, the chemistry program is flexible enough to meet your needs.

Three students studying on quad in spring
Group of students who participated in the Vatican City fall program, atop Rocca Calascio, a mountaintop fortress or rocca in the Province of L'Aquila in Abruzzo, Italy.

Is it possible for chemistry majors to study abroad? Yes. It will require careful planning with your academic advisor early in your career – but yes, many chemistry majors have studied in Ireland or Spain. Please consult the Center for Global Education website for more details and application procedures.

To view a sample chemistry major study plan including studying abroad, click here.

News & Events

January 28

JCU Launches New Climate, Environment, and Sustainability Minor

December 16

CAS Awards 19 Strategic Grants

November 13

JCU Alum's RNA Research Catalyst for 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine

October 12

NSF Awards $2.5 Million S-STEM Grant to JCU, Largest in the Institution’s History