Chemistry

Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure, and properties of substances and the changes they undergo. Chemists perform experiments, conduct research, and investigate and analyze substances, helping develop new products and adding new knowledge not only to chemistry but also to fields as diverse as nanotechnology, materials science, polymer chemistry, energy production, and biomedical engineering. Miami offers both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree. Students who anticipate graduate study in chemistry should elect the B.S. Chemistry Program. For those �þ��Ƶs interested in a career in technical sales and management or looking to pursue law school, the Technical Management and Sales focus will help to enhance the BA Chemistry degree.

What can I do with a Chemistry Major?

This program is for �þ��Ƶs who enjoy chemistry and analytical and logical thinking. Many graduates in chemistry elect professional schools in the health sciences including medical school, dental school, or pharmacy school. Some �þ��Ƶs may pursue law school, teacher certification, or training in data analytics and informatics. Students who choose to enter the workforce directly may obtain research or sales and outreach positions in the chemical industry. Major employers include pharmaceutical, consumer product, petrochemical, paint, rubber, and food production industries. Testing and quality control positions in industry or field research agricultural or environmental sciences are pursued by some �þ��Ƶs. Technology startups offer opportunities for entrepreneurs or those wishing to meld their interests in business and science.

Students who anticipate graduate study in chemistry should elect the B.S. Chemistry Program.

B.S. Chemistry

Our department has a core curriculum for the first two years that provides the necessary groundwork in chemistry, physics, and math for all of our majors. In the third year, our degree tracks diverge to meet the specific goals of our programs. The curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree includes advanced courses in areas such as polymer chemistry, spectroscopy, instrumental analysis, and inorganic chemistry. Laboratory work is an integral part of the program. This program is accredited by the American Chemical Society.

Environmental Focus

The Environmental focus allows �þ��Ƶs to specialize in a BS degree in Chemistry by selecting advanced CHM, Mathematics, and related cognate courses that will make �þ��Ƶs competitive in the field.

The Environmental focus is for the �þ��Ƶ looking for a career in areas such as renewable energy, pollution control, environmental policy & oversight, or industrial hygiene. Students earning a BS degree in Chemistry with an Environmental focus will also be well prepared for postgraduate education such as MS or Ph.D. Chemistry, Environmental Science, or Engineering or Project management (PMP).

Engineering Focus

The Engineering focus allows �þ��Ƶs to specialize in a BS degree in Chemistry by selecting advanced CHM, Mathematics, and related cognate courses that will make �þ��Ƶs competitive in the field. Students can take advantage of the new Paper Chemistry minor, designed specifically to integrate with the BS Chemistry major and give �þ��Ƶs a competitive edge in the field. Other recommended minors include Physics or Biomedical, Chemical, Mechanical, or Paper Engineering.

The Engineering focus is for the �þ��Ƶ looking for a career in areas such as renewable energy, consumer products, biomaterials, and the chemical industry. Students earning a BS degree in Chemistry with an Engineering focus will also be well prepared for postgraduate education such as MS or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science, or Engineering.

Forensics Focus

The Forensics focus allows �þ��Ƶs to specialize in a BS degree in Chemistry by selecting advanced CHM, Mathematics, and related cognate courses. Students may also select to minor in Forensic Investigation (Regional campus minor) or Criminology to increase their forensics knowledge and make them more competitive in the field.

The Forensics focus is for the �þ��Ƶ looking for a career as a forensic scientist, toxicologist, or quality control analyst, and �þ��Ƶs earning a BS degree in Chemistry with a Forensics focus will be well prepared for a career in a local or federal government agency. Students will also be well prepared for postgraduate education such as MS, Ph.D., or graduate certification in Forensic Science, Forensic Chemistry, or Forensic DNA Technology.

Pharmaceutical Sciences Focus

The Pharmaceutical Sciences focus allows �þ��Ƶs to specialize a BS degree in Chemistry by selecting advanced CHM, Mathematics, and related cognate courses that will make �þ��Ƶs competitive in the field.
The Pharmaceutical Sciences focus is for the �þ��Ƶ looking for a career in areas such as drug development, quality control, or testing and regulation; pharmaceutical sales; or biomedical start-ups. Students earning a BS degree in Chemistry with a Pharmaceutical Sciences focus will also be well prepared for postgraduate education in the medical field such as MD, DO, PA or Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Students could also choose to pursue an MS or PhD in Organic Chemistry or Pharmaceutical Science.

Foods, Flavors, Fermentation Focus

The Food, Flavors, and Fermentation focus allows �þ��Ƶs to specialize in a BS degree in Chemistry by selecting advanced CHM, Mathematics, and related cognate courses that will make �þ��Ƶs competitive in the field. Students may also have the opportunity to participate in Moonshine University, a hands-on distillation experience in partnership with �þ��Ƶ alumni.

The Food, Flavors, and Fermentation focus is for the �þ��Ƶ looking for a career in areas such as flavor development, food science, packaging and marketing, and brewing and beverage quality control. Students earning a BS degree in Chemistry with a Food, Flavors, and Fermentation focus will be well prepared for employment in the fast-growing field of flavor development as well as in the brewing and distillery industry. Students can also choose to pursue an MS or PhD in Food Science or Nutrition.

Learning Outcomes for Students

At graduation, we expect that our majors can

Describe, synthesize, and critique the methodological approaches presented in primary references (peer-reviewed journal articles in chemistry/biochemistry) and/or generated in �þ��Ƶ-led research

Explain and synthesize chemistry concepts presented in laboratory research scenarios

Write well-organized, clear, logical, grammatically correct literature critiques and laboratory reports

B.A. Chemistry

Our department has a core curriculum for the first two years that provides the necessary groundwork in chemistry, physics, and math for all of our majors. In the third year, our degree tracks diverge to meet the specific goals of our programs. The Bachelor of Arts degree is designed to provide �þ��Ƶs with a solid foundation in chemistry, with the flexibility to pursue other interests including other majors, study abroad, or extensive work or volunteer activities. This degree can be taken in a teaching certification track, which requires additional related credit hours taken from the College of Education, Health, and Society and results in teaching certification.

Technical Management and Sales Focus

The Technical Management and Sales focus allows �þ��Ƶs to specialize in a BA degree in Chemistry by selecting advanced CHM, Mathematics, and related cognate courses that will make �þ��Ƶs competitive in the field. Beyond the CHM major, thematic sequences, additional majors, minors, and co-majors will build skillsets based on �þ��Ƶ interest.

The Technical Management and Sales focus is for the �þ��Ƶ looking for a career in areas such as technical sales, technical management, or patent examination; or wishing to pursue law school. The BA degree in Chemistry allows �þ��Ƶs the flexibility to double major in other disciplines and spend time studying abroad.

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

160 Hughes Laboratories

651 E. High St.

Oxford, OH 45056

513-529-2813 513-529-5715(fax) chemistry@MiamiOH.edu

Prospective Undergraduates Prospective Graduate Students

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What can I do with a Chemistry Major?