The major offered by the Department of Chemistry is designed to challenge and inspire the next generation of scientific innovators with foundational and advanced courses. Often called the “central science,” chemistry offers insights into how the world works. A degree in chemistry opens doors to diverse career paths, such as medicine, environmental science, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, forensics, and more, and equips you to make a difference in the world by addressing global challenges, including sustainability, healthcare, energy, and climate change.
In this program, you will collaborate with faculty members on groundbreaking research projects, conduct hands-on experimentation in well-equipped laboratories, develop your problem solving skills, and start building your professional network in an internship. From creating compounds in the lab to exploring the mysteries of quantum mechanics, you will develop strong foundational knowledge and analytical and critical thinking skills that you can apply in a variety of settings. You will learn about many areas of chemistry and be prepared to study advanced chemistry in graduate school.
Student Stories
The accelerated Pharmacy and Health Science option gives you the skills to be a world-class pharmacy professional in a wide variety of rewarding careers. Worcester State partners with Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) to provide you with the most cutting-edge pharmacology education possible. This program includes three years of study at WSU and three years at MCPHS leading to completion of both BS and PharmD degrees. Students should consult with the program liaison (Daron Barnard) as soon as possible to plan their academic programs. A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation. View requirements and timeline.
This concentration is intended for chemistry majors who aspire to attend medical school, dental school, or veterinary school after completing their undergraduate degree. The concentration is a means to ensure that you have the best possible academic preparation and advising as you prepare for a post-graduate program. The Pre-Medical Concentration requirements include courses that are not part of the Chemistry Major but are designated as core prerequisites for these professional schools as well as some additional courses that are not part of the core prerequisites but are strongly recommended.
The concentration curriculum also includes a one-credit seminar taken during the sophomore or junior year that is designed to familiarize you with the requirements for admission to medical, dental, and veterinary schools. The seminar will help you develop a personal plan for fulfilling these requirements so that you have the best possible chance of admission to postgraduate study. View requirements and timeline.
The ACS, with its more than 160,000 members, is the major professional society in the United States for practicing chemists. The ACS sponsors major professional meetings and publishes a large number of scientific journals. Through its Committee on Professional Training, the ACS evaluates undergraduate professional education in chemistry throughout the United States. Students who successfully complete an undergraduate curriculum that meets the ACS guidelines receive certification by the society. These guidelines are lengthy but basically require 400 clock hours of traditional classwork in chemistry courses covering the fundamental areas of the discipline, and 500 clock hours of formal laboratory experience in chemistry. Math and physics courses are also specified.
Complete details of the ACS guidelines for degree certification may be found below:
Guidelines for Bachelors Degree Programs
All chemistry majors who complete the BS curriculum will be nominated by the Department to receive certification by the ACS.
BA majors who desire to qualify for American Chemical Society certification for their degree must complete the following courses:
The research project must culminate in a written report. Students who carry out chemistry-based research in other departments may petition the Undergraduate Committee to count this research toward ACS accreditation.
Certification by the ACS is viewed favorably for admission to graduate or professional programs. Certified graduates are eligible to become members of the society after graduation; other chemistry graduates may become associate members after graduation, and members after 3 years of professional experience in chemistry or chemical engineering.
The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Worcester State University requires students to complete a comprehensive curriculum that includes foundational courses such as Organic Chemistry I, Biochemistry I, Computational Chemistry, and Instrumental Analysis. These courses are designed to provide students with a strong understanding of chemical principles and laboratory techniques. Additionally, students must earn a grade of C- or higher in all prerequisite courses to progress in the program.
My research interests are broadly in the field of green and environmental chemistry and designed to facilitate undergraduate participation. Our group works with a class of non-volatile and non-flammable solvents termed ionic liquids (ILs). We are [...]
The central theme of research in my group is the design and development of organometallic complexes for use in catalysis with a focus on green chemistry. The development of atom economical reactions, minimization of extraneous solvent use, and use of [...]
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Learn more about the Ghosh Science and Technology Center at Worcester State University. The Center is home to the Biology, Chemistry, Nursing and Occupational Therapy departments among others.
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